Telangana Task Force uncovers hygiene violations at Asati Rajkumar RFM, Instahot Foods in Patancheru

Patancheru: A recent inspection by the Task Force team has uncovered significant hygiene violations at Asati Rajkumar Roller Flour Mills Pvt Ltd and Instahot Foods Pvt Ltd in Patancheru IDA.

The team found issues related to food storage, pest infestation, and non-compliance with food safety norms at both facilities.

Asati Rajkumar Roller Flour Mills Pvt Ltd: Poor Hygiene and Storage Issues

The inspection at Asati Rajkumar Roller Flour Mills Pvt Ltd revealed multiple violations, including the absence of a prominently displayed FSSAI license. The team found food and non-food items, such as cement and tyres, stored together, raising contamination concerns.

Key observations included:

• Food articles stored on the ground instead of pallets.

• Patchy and flaky walls and ceilings with cobwebs.

• Rodents and birds, including pigeons and sparrows, were present, with visible feces.

• Food handlers were not following proper hygiene protocols and were found without aprons and hair caps.

• The grain washing section was found to be unhygienic and emitting a foul smell.

• The storage area for cleaned wheat was in poor condition, with cobwebs present.

• Essential records, including pest control logs, water analysis reports, and employee health records, were unavailable.

Instahot Foods Pvt Ltd: Violations in Food Storage and Pest Control

Instahot Foods Pvt Ltd, a supplier for Indigo Airlines and an exporter, was found to have serious non-compliance issues, particularly in storage and pest control. The team noted that expired food items such as Kasturi Methi (1.25kg), Mustard seeds (0.5kg), and Rai Mota (1kg) were still present in storage and had to be discarded. Additionally, Nutmeg (1.5kg) was seized due to labeling violations, including missing MRP, batch number, and date of packing.

Other key findings included:

• Food articles stored on the ground below a leaking air conditioner, increasing the risk of contamination.

• Rotten vegetables, including tomatoes, found in the storage area.

• Live cockroach infestation in the cooking and grinding areas.

• Patchy flooring, clogged drains, and food waste littered across the facility.

• Plastic bags were used for dumping food waste instead of proper dustbins.

• Water analysis was being conducted at a non-NABL accredited laboratory, making it non-compliant.

• No recent records of testing for packaging materials were available.

Authorities to Take Action

Following the inspection, authorities are expected to issue notices to both establishments, requiring them to comply with food safety regulations.

With growing concerns over food safety, authorities are urging all food processing units to follow proper protocols, maintain hygiene, and ensure compliance with regulations to prevent legal and health repercussions.