Hyderabad Food Safety Crackdown: Five Sweet Shops Lose Licences, Karachi Bakery Gets Notice

Hyderabad food safety officials have taken action against several sweet shops and food manufacturers after inspections uncovered hygiene lapses, expired products and licensing irregularities. Five establishments have had their licences suspended, while seven others, including Karachi Bakery International, have received show-cause notices.

The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG-SAFE) inspected 16 sweet-manufacturing and retail establishments across Hyderabad on Wednesday. Officials seized or disposed of 3,546.5 kg of food articles valued at ₹16.86 lakh and collected 22 samples for testing over suspected adulteration. The results are awaited.

G Pulla Reddy Sweets Accounts for Most Seized Food

G Pulla Reddy Sweets in Sanathnagar accounted for the largest quantity of seized food. Officials confiscated 3,133 kg of food articles worth ₹15.03 lakh from the establishment.

Four other businesses had their licences suspended: Agra Mithai Ghar Restaurant in Charminar, Sweetone Ruchulu India Pvt Ltd in Vanasthalipuram, Balaji Sri Kishan Mithai Bhandar in Falaknuma and Hirani Foods Pvt Ltd, which operates Minerva Sweets in Kattedan.

Rotten Vegetables, Expired Products Found During Inspections

Inspectors reported several food safety violations at the establishments, including rotten vegetables, rat droppings, expired and mislabelled products, improper storage and unhygienic food preparation and washing areas.

Officials also found poor personal hygiene among food handlers and cases of businesses operating under an incorrect licence category.

The five establishments whose licences were suspended have been directed to stop operations immediately in the interest of public health.

Karachi Bakery Among Seven Establishments Issued Notices

Karachi Bakery International in Timmapur was among seven establishments served show-cause notices by TG-SAFE.

The other businesses that received notices were Bharat Baklava in Sanathnagar, Balaji Sweets in Champapet, Mamatha Sweet House in Secunderabad, SK Foods in Kattedan, Hameedi Confectionaries at MJ Market and Annapurna Caterers in Chudi Bazaar.

Separately, officials issued an improvement notice to Sri Shagun Mithai Vatika in Himayathnagar.

Further Inspections Planned

TG-SAFE officials said the inspected establishments would undergo follow-up checks to determine whether they had complied with food safety requirements.

Further action, including penalties, will depend on the findings of these inspections. The results of the 22 food samples collected during the drive are also awaited.