Stale food, cockroaches, rat droppings found at Hyderabad restaurants during food safety inspections

The food safety teams of the Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) uncovered stale and spoiled food, cockroach infestations, rat droppings, mould-contaminated vegetables, excessive reuse of cooking oil and several hygiene lapses during inspections at five restaurants across Kondapur, Gachibowli and Madinaguda localities of Hyderabad on July 4.

At Wah Mandi in Kondapur, officials found stale and spoiled cooked mandi, boiled eggs and chicken wings, which were discarded on the spot. Inspectors also observed that raw and cooked meat were stored together, while vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items were not properly segregated. Officials further noted an inadequate utensil washing area where hot water sanitisation was not being followed, along with flaking walls and ceilings in the vegetable cutting section.

Photo: @CMC_Offcl/X

At Mandi King in Gachibowli, the inspection revealed raw and cooked non-vegetarian food stored together without proper covering. Officials found that cooking oil had been reused continuously for four days, as confirmed by a food handler, and ordered it to be discarded immediately. The kitchen also had a greasy and unclean exhaust system, an inadequate utensil washing area without hot water sanitisation, rusted doors and a heavy fly infestation. Inspectors noted that raw material handling, cutting and cooking were being carried out in the same confined workspace, resulting in wet and unhygienic floor conditions.

Photo: @CMC_Offcl/X

At Firewater Fine Dining Bar, the team reported a cockroach infestation in the store area and rat droppings on the premises. Rust formation was observed inside the freezer, while raw chicken was stored directly in the freezer without proper wrapping. Officials also found open dustbins inside the kitchen.

Photo: @CMC_Offcl/X

At Am Aha Kitchen and Bar in Madinaguda, inspectors detected cockroach infestation in the store area, rat droppings, rust inside the freezer and raw chicken stored without proper wrapping and open dustbins were found inside the kitchen.

Photo: @CMC_Offcl/X

At Kake Di Hatti in Madinaguda, officials found several prepared food items without labels were discarded on the spot. Boiled vegetables were stored uncovered on the floor near the washing area, while open dustbins, greasy exhaust systems and unclean corners were observed inside the kitchen. Food waste and stagnant water were found near the drains, and raw materials were stored in unlabelled containers. Inspectors also found cooked cauliflower with visible mould growth, which was discarded immediately, while crates used for storing utensils were found to be unclean.