Food safety inspections across eateries in the Cyberabad region of Hyderabad have once again highlighted kitchen hygiene, proper food storage and compliance with safety rules.
Recent inspections by Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) food safety teams found several violations, including poorly maintained kitchens, semi-prepared foods without labels and the use of synthetic food colours.
At Wacky Wok Cloud Kitchen in Kondapur, officials found an inadequately cooled freezer and poorly maintained vegetables and pest activity, they said. The inspection team also found that utensils were not sanitised with hot water.
Synthetic colours were detected and discarded during the inspection. The place scored 60 out of 98 on the inspection checklist.
Another issue was reported at Ideal Kitchen in Beeramguda, Ameenpur. The kitchen was congested and poorly cleaned, officials said. Semi-prepared batters and chutneys were stored close to a brooming stick, and a number of essential documents including medical, pest control and water-testing documents were missing.
Artificial food colours were also discarded by the inspection team. Prepared rice dishes were kept uncovered and batters did not have proper labels.
The inspection also found sanitation issues in the grinding area, including an open drain, broken flooring, water stagnation and unpleasant odor. The restaurant scored 58 out of 92 and was issued a notice telling the management to fix the deficiencies.
In Babai Hotel in Madinaguda, inspectors found semi-prepared items such as poori and poornam without labels.
Food waste had been deposited in drains and there were greasy exhaust systems and damaged flooring. The establishment scored 69 out of 98 and was directed to remedy the deficiencies.
But inspections also showed compliance exists. Palle Vindhu at Hitech City scored 102 out of 110, or 93%, the highest among the four establishments examined.
Good practices such as hairnets and aprons were observed, food labels were correct, cleaning schedules and food safety documentation were good. There were no synthetic colors or expired food in there.
The findings add to a series of food-safety inspections in Cyberabad that have revealed pest infestations, open drains, improper food storage, stale food and inadequate housekeeping at different establishments.
For customers, inspections have only served to underscore the need for restaurant operators to keep kitchens clean, store food properly and serve food in compliance with food safety regulations.
And for restaurants, hygiene is not a checklist requirement but a critical part of protecting public health.
