Hyderabad: As summer temperatures rise, many people are turning to fruit juice to stay cool and hydrated. However, recent inspections by the Telangana State Food Safety Department have revealed serious hygiene issues at several juice shops in Hyderabad.
On Thursday, officials conducted surprise raids at popular juice centres in the Ameerpet area. The inspections uncovered rotten fruits, cockroaches, houseflies, and various food safety violations. Some shops were even running without the required food safety licenses from FSSAI.
The juice shops inspected included Bombay Juice, Natural Flavors, KGN Juice, Coconut Juice Bar, and A1 Fruit Juice Centre. At Bombay Juice, officials found rotten fruits and vegetables, rusty refrigerators, and no records of pest control or medical fitness for workers. Food handlers were seen chewing tobacco while preparing juices, and the kitchen area was very dirty.
At Coconut Juice Bar, cockroaches and insects were found inside the refrigerators. Rotten fruits were being used, and there were no medical or pest control records. The food preparation area was also unhygienic.
Natural Flavors was found operating without a valid license. Officials discovered expired fruit syrups like pineapple crush and blackcurrant crush. These were thrown out. Soda bottles were unlabelled, and cockroaches were found in the fridge. Again, no safety or medical records were available.
KGN Juice Centre also did not have a license. Houseflies were found in the preparation area, and spoiled fruit salad was being sold. The refrigerator was dirty, and the entire shop was unhygienic.
At A1 Fruit and Juice Centre, rusty knives and refrigerators were noted. The shop had no drainage system, no pest control, and no water testing records. It was also operating without a valid license.
The Commissioner of Food Safety has stated that strict action will be taken against shops violating food safety rules. Any business running without an FSSAI license will be shut down after proper notice, following the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
