Hyderabad is at the bottom of India’s metro cities in terms of food hygiene ratings according to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The new data show that of the 75,000 food outlets operating in the city today, only 361 restaurants (less than 2% of licensed outlets) are currently listed as having hygiene ratings.
The FSSAI hygiene rating system is meant to promote cleanliness and safety in restaurants, hotels and food outlets. Ratings are awarded based on food safety standards, including kitchen hygiene, staff hygiene, storage practices, pest control, etc. While cities such as Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai are on the path to adopt the system, Hyderabad’s numbers show a big gap.
The low participation rate is not from widespread violations, officials say, but from the lack of awareness and reluctance of establishments to undergo voluntary rating assessments. Many small and mid‑sized businesses do not participate and are afraid of fines or reputational damage if they fail to meet the standards. So far, Hyderabad is far behind other metros despite its culinary reputation.
Public health officials say hygiene ratings pose dangers for consumers. With thousands of restaurants operating without safety guidelines, diners are left with no idea what quality of food they’re being served. The problem is particularly acute in Hyderabad because of the city’s booming street food sector and that it’s popular with tourists and locals alike.
Hence, FSSAI proponents claim hygiene ratings can be a competitive advantage for businesses. Outlets with certified ratings attract more customers because certification helps build trust and credibility. The absence of ratings can erode consumer confidence, especially in a city that has seen a surge in the number of foodborne illnesses and contamination cases in recent years.
Hyderabad’s last‑place ranking in food hygiene ratings underscores the urgent need for greater awareness, enforcement, and participation. With only 361 eateries certified out of 75,000, the city’s food culture is still a challenge to align with safety standards.
The government should run more campaigns to get restaurants to apply for ratings and consumers should check FSSAI certification before eating out. The city’s future needs to be driven by the cooperation of regulators and businesses so that the restaurant atmosphere in Hyderabad is better than other cities and hygiene and safety are assured.
