Telangana’s Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) flagged multiple food safety violations at seven popular restaurants in Hyderabad during a special inspection drive on August 29. Six teams comprising Food Safety Officers and police personnel inspected eateries across Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Tolichowki and Gachibowli, finding expired food, spoiled vegetables, poor hygiene, improper handling and storage, labelling violations and pest infestation.
Officials collected 11 food samples on suspicion of adulteration and issued four improvement notices and three show-cause notices. At Pista House in Gachibowli, products worth around ₹17,500 were seized over alleged misbranding violations. Laboratory results and responses from the establishments will determine further action.
Expired Food, Spoiled Veggies Found
The inspections covered Chutneys, Spice 6 and Ohri’s in Banjara Hills; The Spicy Venue in Jubilee Hills; 4 Seasons Multi-Cuisine Restaurant and Shah Ghouse in Tolichowki; and Pista House in Gachibowli. According to officials, some of the restaurants had hygiene deficiencies, while others were found storing or handling food improperly. Inspectors also reported expired food articles, spoiled vegetables, violations of Food Safety and Standards labelling and display regulations, and pest infestation. The findings highlight how food safety risks can arise not only from ingredients themselves but also from the way food is stored, handled and presented to consumers.
Pista House Goods Seized
At Pista House in Gachibowli, officials found violations in the storeroom and seized 15 kg of dry fruits, 24 kg of dry noodles and 5 kg of potato chips, collectively valued at approximately ₹17,500, over alleged misbranding violations. Samples of Masqati ghee and Vangal paneer were also collected for laboratory analysis. Across all seven establishments, 11 samples were lifted on suspicion of adulteration. A TG SAFE official said further action would depend on the laboratory findings and the responses of the establishments concerned. The authority has also issued four improvement notices and three show-cause notices, giving the restaurants an opportunity to respond and rectify the reported shortcomings.
Wider Food Safety Enforcement Drive
The Hyderabad inspections are part of an intensified food safety enforcement campaign being carried out by TG SAFE across the city. In a similar drive just days earlier, the authority inspected 32 sweet and savoury units, collected 35 food samples for laboratory analysis and seized approximately 15 tonnes of food articles valued at ₹30 lakh. The licence of one sweet shop was also suspended following the inspection.
The latest action against restaurants and food outlets suggests that enforcement efforts are being expanded across a wider range of establishments, rather than being limited to sweet shops or manufacturing units. Officials are examining several aspects of food safety compliance, including kitchen hygiene, food handling practices, storage conditions, labelling requirements, the use of permitted ingredients and possible adulteration.
However, the seizure of products or collection of samples does not by itself establish that the food items were unsafe or adulterated. The laboratory test results will be important in determining whether the suspected violations are confirmed. Based on those findings, authorities may initiate further action, including penalties, product recalls, licence suspension or prosecution, depending on the nature and severity of the violations.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Food safety is ultimately about public trust and the basic right of people to know that what they eat has been prepared and stored responsibly. Regulatory inspections should therefore be consistent, transparent and fair, while restaurants must treat compliance not merely as a legal requirement but as a responsibility towards their customers and staff. At the same time, establishments should be given a clear opportunity to respond, correct genuine lapses and improve their practices. Strong enforcement and constructive accountability can work together to make Hyderabad’s food ecosystem safer for everyone. Do you think regular, transparent food-safety inspections should become mandatory for all restaurants, regardless of their size or popularity?
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