Expired food items to cockroach infestation: Licence of Sri Chaitanya Educational Institutes, Madhapur central kitchen suspended

Hyderabad: The license of the central kitchen of Sri Chaitanya Educational Institutes, operated by Sri Vasista Educational Trust in Khanamet, Madhapur, has been suspended with immediate effect.

This follows an inspection by the task force team on January 24, 2025. Officials cited repeated non-compliance with food safety standards and serious hygiene lapses as the reasons for the suspension.

Key Violations Found During Inspection

The inspection revealed multiple violations, including:

• Absence of water analysis reports, pest control records, and FOSTAC certificates for employees.

• Unclean refrigerators and greasy exhaust systems.

• Wet and littered floors, and broken drains without proper mesh coverings.

• Patchy and greasy walls with broken tiles.

• Open dustbins and improperly sealed doors allowing pest entry.

• Live cockroach infestation and rodent feces in storage areas, with no rodent traps.

Expired Food and Storage Issues

Officials seized Kaju Nuka (125 kg), which had expired on January 17, 2025. Other food safety concerns included:

• Food items stored on the ground instead of pallets.

• Food and non-food articles kept together.

• Unlabeled packed nutmeg.

• Food handlers working without aprons or gloves.

Additionally, the kitchen operates 12 transport vehicles, but its FSSAI license does not cover transportation, and no separate FSSAI license for the vehicles was provided.

Repeated Non-Compliance Leads to Suspension

A similar inspection in June 2024 had already flagged several of these issues. “Despite warnings, the establishment failed to rectify these critical hygiene and safety concerns,” a task force member stated.

Citing the impact on consumer health and violations under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the Designated Officer ordered the suspension of the central kitchen’s license.

“The suspension will remain in effect until the establishment implements necessary corrective measures and meets regulatory standards,” an official confirmed.