Cockroach Infestation, Expired Food Found During Hyderabad Restaurant Inspections
Food safety officials in Hyderabad carried out surprise inspections at two city restaurants on June 17, uncovering a series of hygiene violations serious enough to warrant on-the-spot disposal of food items and formal improvement notices to the management of both establishments.
The two outlets inspected were La Pino'z Pizza in Jubilee Enclave and AnTeRa restaurant in Madeenguda, both of which were found to be falling short of the standards required under food safety regulations.
La Pino'z Pizza, Jubilee Enclave
Inspectors at the Jubilee Enclave branch of La Pino'z Pizza found conditions that raised immediate public health concerns. A heavy cockroach infestation was present on the premises, and lizard droppings were discovered near the storage area. A freezer that was already under maintenance was found to have microbial infestation inside it.
Among the other violations, officials noted that the outlet was storing expired food items and that vegetarian and non-vegetarian products were being kept together in the same freezer without any separation. Food items were neither labelled nor stored in accordance with prescribed safety norms.
The management had also failed to maintain mandatory medical fitness records for food handlers and water testing reports, both of which are required under food safety guidelines.
Officials disposed of the expired and improperly stored food on the spot. The management was directed to undertake thorough deep cleaning of the premises and carry out professional pest control. An improvement notice was issued requiring the outlet to bring its operations into compliance with food safety standards.
https://x.com/TeluguScribe/status/2067462827183599860?s=20
AnTeRa Restaurant, Madeenguda
At AnTeRa restaurant in Madeenguda, inspectors found mould growth on cauliflower and potatoes stored in the kitchen. The inspection team also flagged the repeated reuse of the same cooking oil for frying, a practice that poses health risks due to the accumulation of harmful compounds in overheated oil.
Further issues included open dustbins placed close to food preparation areas, the use of iron knives during cooking, and ingredients stored without identification labels. As was also the case at La Pino'z, medical fitness documents for staff and water testing records were not available for inspection.
Officials discarded the mould-affected vegetables and the cooking oil deemed unfit for further use. The management was directed to address the identified shortcomings and meet food safety requirements going forward.
The inspections at both outlets are part of a broader, ongoing enforcement drive by Hyderabad food safety authorities aimed at raising hygiene standards across the city's food service sector and protecting public health