In Hyderabad, the Food Safety Department of Telangana is working hard to ensure that restaurants in the city maintain safe and hygienic conditions. Recently, officials conducted raids on various eateries, including the popular Bowl ‘O’ China, and uncovered several hygiene violations. They found rat droppings and expired food items, indicating a failure to follow food safety rules.
Complaints from customers about unhygienic conditions, stale food, and insects in meals, particularly in biryani dishes, prompted the Food Safety officers to conduct inspections. They visited well-known hotels and restaurants in the Begumpet area, such as Manohar Restaurant, Bowl ‘O’ China, and New Urvashi Bar and Restaurant.
At Bowl ‘O’ China, officials discovered rat droppings in the storage area. They noted that windows were left open without nets, increasing the risk of insect infestation. The kitchen floor was in poor condition, and water was accumulating near the cleaning area. Additionally, food items in the refrigerator were neither covered nor labeled, and the management failed to display a valid FSSAI license.
The inspection at Manohar Restaurant revealed unsafe conditions as well. Officials found expired food ingredients and flavoring agents, along with spoiled vegetables like carrots, tomatoes, onions, and coriander. Items such as Tooty-Fruity and Koranda, which had expired, were also found and discarded. The kitchen drains were clogged with stagnant water, and a live cockroach infestation was discovered. Furthermore, bread in cold storage was uncovered.
The Food Safety Department’s ongoing efforts aim to ensure that eateries adhere to hygiene standards for the safety of customers.
