Report

The Telangana Food Safety Department revoked the license of the central kitchen at Sri Chaitanya Educational Institutes in Khanamet, Madhapur near Hyderabad following an inspection on January 24 that uncovered significant hygiene violations. Task force teams discovered numerous cleanliness issues and lapses in food safety protocols. Inspectors found broken floor drains, missing mesh coverings, and improperly fitted doors that allowed pests to enter. They also noted uneven patches, cracked tiles, and oily surfaces on the kitchen walls, signalling poor maintenance.

Neglect of Food Safety Practices

The inspection revealed severe neglect of food safety practices. Inspectors found food placed directly on the floor instead of on pallets and observed improper storage, with food stored alongside non-food items. The team disposed of 125 kg of cashews that had gone bad a week earlier. Additionally, they discovered live cockroaches and rodent droppings in multiple storage areas, and no traps were in place to manage the infestation.

Regulatory Violations and Food Transport Issues

The inspection also uncovered several regulatory violations. Despite operating 12 transport vehicles for food delivery, the kitchen’s Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license did not cover transport. Furthermore, the vehicles lacked individual FSSAI licenses, raising concerns about food safety during transit, according to an official report.

Source: The Hindu