Hyderabad is gearing up for Diwali, and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is taking action to ensure food safety. The food safety wing has launched a citywide campaign to inspect sweet shops for safety violations, aiming to prevent the sale of adulterated products during the festival.
Following instructions from GHMC Commissioner R V Karnan, food safety teams visited 43 sweet shops across the GHMC area on Wednesday. They found several hygiene and safety issues, such as the lack of pest control, untested water for food preparation, broken floors in tiffin sections, and no medical fitness records for workers. Additionally, the presence of flies in display areas, unsanitary ovens, and food handlers without hairnets and gloves were noted. Open dustbins in display areas also posed contamination risks.
This campaign supplements regular weekly surprise inspections, focusing on maintaining quality and hygiene standards in sweet shops during the Diwali season. On the first day, 43 shops were inspected, and the initiative will continue. If violations of the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 and Rules & Regulations, 2011 are found, notices are issued for immediate correction. Repeated or major violations may lead to adjudication and possible fines.
Sweet shop operators are urged to improve hygiene in food preparation and keep premises clean. Proper labeling of food items with preparation and expiry dates is now mandatory.
Officials advise consumers to remain vigilant when buying sweets, checking shop hygiene and ensuring compliance with safety standards.
