Hyderabad, 29 July
Hyderabad Food Safety Raid: Flies, Dirty Drains & Rust Found at Pista House; 2 More Outlets Face Action
A food safety inspection across three restaurants in Hyderabad and its surrounding areas has uncovered several hygiene and food safety violations, with officials finding houseflies, dirty drains, rusted equipment, dark cooking oil, water stagnation and inadequate food safety records.
The inspections were conducted at Pista House in RC Puram, Mandi King in Manikonda and Coal Spark in Madhapur on Wednesday, July 29.
Among the major findings, Flies, Dirty Drains & Rust Found at Pista House emerged as some of the key hygiene concerns recorded during the inspection. Improvement notices were issued to Pista House and Mandi King, while Coal Spark received an 84 per cent rating for following several good food safety practices despite some violations.
Flies, Dirty Drains & Rust Found at Pista House
The inspection at Pista House in RC Puram revealed multiple hygiene-related shortcomings.
Food safety officials reportedly found houseflies in the bakery section, raising concerns about pest control and food hygiene. Dirty drains were also observed at the premises, while rust was found inside a refrigerator.
Officials further found that one of the dishwashing areas did not have a hot water provision.
The kitchen windows were reportedly kept open, which could increase the risk of dust, insects and other contaminants entering food preparation areas.
Food items were also found without proper commodity-name labels, making identification and food management more difficult.
Biryani mix shelf life questioned; Raid Flies, Dirty Drains & Rust Found at Pista House 2 More Outlets Face Action
The inspection also raised concerns over the storage and shelf-life practices followed at Pista House.
Officials found that the marinated biryani mix had been assigned a three-day shelf life without technical evidence to substantiate the specified period.
Water leakage was also observed inside the walk-in chiller, indicating a maintenance issue that could potentially affect food storage conditions.
The findings added to the list of concerns identified during the inspection, alongside the flies, dirty drains and rust found at Pista House. Raid Flies, Dirty Drains & Rust Found at Pista House 2 More Outlets Face Action.
Important food safety records unavailable
Food safety officials also found that several documents and records were not available at the premises for verification.
These reportedly included:
- Medical fitness records
- Pest control records
- Water testing reports
- Food testing records
- Packaging records
Following the inspection, an improvement notice was issued by the Cyberabad Municipal Corporation.
The establishment is expected to address the deficiencies identified during the inspection and comply with applicable food safety requirements. Raid Flies, Dirty Drains & Rust Found at Pista House 2 More Outlets Face Action
Dark cooking oil found at Mandi King
Officials also inspected Mandi King in Manikonda, where several additional food safety and hygiene violations were reported.
The inspection found dark cooking oil in deep fryers, along with water stagnation on the kitchen floor.
Officials also observed a dirty exhaust system and uncovered dustbins.
Food waste was reportedly not being removed regularly, while one freezer was found to be rusted and corroded. Raid Flies, Dirty Drains & Rust Found at Pista House 2 More Outlets Face Action.
Spices and raw materials were also being stored in corroded plastic containers, raising concerns about proper food storage and equipment maintenance.
No FoSTaC-trained staff at Mandi King
Another concern identified at Mandi King was the reported absence of FoSTaC-trained staff at the premises.
Officials also found that medical fitness certificates and water analysis reports were not available for verification. Raid Flies, Dirty Drains & Rust Found at Pista House 2 More Outlets Face Action.
Following the inspection, officials discarded the used cooking oil from the deep fryers and removed the rusted freezer from the kitchen.
An improvement notice was issued to Mandi King over the violations found during the inspection.
Coal Spark Madhapur gets 84 per cent rating
The inspection at Coal Spark in Madhapur produced mixed findings.
Officials identified pest activity in a steamer kept under maintenance and rust on freezer racks.
They also observed water seepage and flaking on storeroom walls.
The inspection found that hot-water sterilisation of utensils was not being followed, which was another food safety concern.
However, Coal Spark received an 84 per cent rating for following several good practices.
Coal Spark follows several good practices
Despite the violations, officials noted several positive food safety measures at Coal Spark.
Food handlers were reportedly using hairnets and gloves, while natural colour extracts were being used in food preparation. Raid Flies, Dirty Drains & Rust Found at Pista House 2 More Outlets Face Action.
Officials found no expired food items in the kitchen.
The establishment also had FoSTaC-certified supervisors available at the premises.
A regular cleaning schedule was reportedly maintained, and the restaurant followed the First In, First Out (FIFO) method for managing food and raw materials.
The inspection also did not find pest activity in the kitchen apart from the issue involving the steamer kept under maintenance.
What the Hyderabad food safety inspections found
The three inspections highlighted different types of food safety and hygiene concerns.
At Pista House in RC Puram, officials reported houseflies, dirty drains, rust inside a refrigerator, inadequate hot-water facilities, improper labelling, water leakage and insufficient documentation.
At Mandi King in Manikonda, officials found dark cooking oil, water stagnation, a dirty exhaust system, uncovered dustbins, a rusted freezer and improper storage containers, among other issues.
At Coal Spark in Madhapur, officials identified pest activity in a steamer under maintenance, rusted freezer racks, wall seepage and inadequate utensil sterilisation. However, the establishment also recorded several positive food safety practices and received an 84 per cent rating.
Two outlets face improvement notices
The inspections resulted in improvement notices being issued to Pista House and Mandi King.
Officials also took immediate action at Mandi King by discarding the used cooking oil and removing the rusted freezer.
The findings serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining proper hygiene, pest control, food storage, equipment maintenance, staff training and documentation at restaurants and food establishments. Raid Flies, Dirty Drains & Rust Found at Pista House 2 More Outlets Face Action.
As food safety inspections continue across Hyderabad and surrounding areas, establishments are expected to correct identified deficiencies and maintain the required standards to protect consumers.