FSSAI Mandates Food Grade Cutting Equipment for Hyderabad Restaurants

On Thursday, June 18, 2026, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued a directive in Hyderabad mandating that all restaurants and hotels use only food-grade, corrosion-resistant cutting equipment.

The national food safety regulator warned that establishments must maintain strict hygiene standards or face legal action under food safety laws. Under the new advisory, it is mandatory for hotels and restaurants to use food-grade and corrosion-resistant materials for knives, blades, and other cutting tools in all food handling and processing tasks.

The FSSAI emphasized that all equipment must be kept in hygienic conditions. Tools must be entirely free from rust, corrosion, cracks, paint, or any other physical defects that pose a risk of contamination.

According to the directive, any cutting equipment found to be rusted, damaged, or otherwise unsuitable must be immediately removed from service and replaced. Restaurants are also required to follow adequate cleaning, sanitization, and sterilization procedures for all cutting tools at prescribed intervals.

To ensure these provisions are upheld, the FSSAI has directed Commissioners of Food Safety across all States and Union Territories, as well as Regional Directors, to maintain strict vigilance.

The authority warned that any observed non-compliance will attract strict action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and its associated regulations.