Food Safety Raids Uncover Rampant Negligence in City Eateries

Surprise checks by the Food Safety and Standards Department have uncovered a worrying pattern of stale and unsafe food being served across the city. Officials said many eateries continue to ignore basic hygiene rules despite repeated warnings.

In June, inspectors seized rotten eggs and spoiled chicken, fish and prawns from Mumtaz Hotel in Narasimhanagar. A case was filed against the management. The checks continued in August, covering 40 outlets. Several kilograms of substandard food were confiscated and 17 establishments were flagged for poor hygiene.

The crackdown intensified on August 22. During a raid at Aha Yemi Ruchulu in MVP Colony, officials seized 85 kilograms of stale meat and seafood stored for days. On November 11, 12.3 kilograms of stale chicken, mutton and biryani were found at Celebrations in Narasimhanagar. Eleven days later, 30 kilograms of expired food were seized from My Restaurant near the sandbank area.

Officials said the repeated violations show a deeper problem. Many eateries still serve reheated and long-stored food that can cause serious illness. Even with fines and legal action, compliance remains low. Enforcement teams also said they lack the authority to suspend or cancel licenses, making it difficult to act against repeat offenders. They noted that many customers continue to visit eateries known for violations.

Health experts warn that improperly stored food can cause typhoid, diarrhea, abdominal pain and ulcers due to bacterial contamination. They also advise avoiding monosodium glutamate and artificial colors, which may affect liver function.

Dr. Girinath, Head of Gastroenterology at KGH, said high MSG intake may increase the risk of obesity and kidney problems. He urged parents to limit children’s consumption of outside food, as they are more vulnerable to infections caused by unsafe handling and storage.