TG-SAFE Raids 19 Hyderabad Cafes, Shuts Outlets in Panjagutta and Madina

The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) carried out a special enforcement drive inspecting 19 cafes and snack points across Hyderabad, ordering the closure of establishments in Panjagutta and Bagh Lingampally and suspending operations at a prominent hotel near Madina building. The inspections, carried out on Wednesday by nine enforcement teams comprising Food Safety Officers and police personnel, uncovered widespread violations including unhygienic premises, expired food, pest infestations, and businesses operating without valid food safety licences.

Officials ordered the immediate closure of Dreamz Cafeteria at Bagh Lingampally and Asiatic Café at Panjagutta after finding both outlets operating without valid FSSAI licences or registrations. In addition, the FSSAI licence of Shadab Hotel at Madina building was suspended, and management was instructed to halt all business operations immediately following multiple violations concerning hygiene, sanitation, and the improper storage of meat and other food articles.

During the drive, enforcement teams observed severe sanitary lapses across multiple establishments, including open dustbins, littering, and food handlers working without mandatory headgear. Inspectors reported housefly and cockroach infestations, alongside lapses in the handling and storage of food items, expired and spoiled provisions, and breaches of food labelling and display regulations. Several eateries were unable to produce required documentation, such as FoSTaC training certificates, health records of food handlers, and pest-control records.

Enforcement officials discarded perishable food items exposed to dust and flies on the spot. Officers also seized suspected adulterated products, including tea powder, ginger-garlic paste, and biscuits. A total of 15 food samples were collected during the drive and sent for laboratory analysis, according to an official press release.

Show-cause notices are being issued to five establishments: Golden Café, Dreamz Cafeteria, Mirosa Café and Kitchen (Fyra Foods), Asiatic Café, and Shadab Hotel. Authorities noted that further action, including the imposition of penalties, will follow depending on the inspection findings and the responses submitted by the establishments.

Improvement notices are also being served to several other outlets, including Café Persia, Bahar Biryani Café, Café Deccan, Honeymoon Café, Rio Restaurant, Aromale Hospitality, Friends and Café, Diamond Point Hotel, Hotel Imroz, Blue Sea Tea and Snacks, Nimra Café and Bakery, and Gulzar Foods (Persis Café). TG SAFE officials said all establishments served with improvement notices will undergo re-inspections to verify full compliance with safety norms.