Rameshwaram Cafe, Bahubali Kitchen stored expired Urad dal, Jaggary: FSSAI teams

Hyderabad: FSSAI food safety team has found serious violations at The Rameshwaram Cafe and Baahubali Kitchen during an inspection in the Madhapur area on May 23.

Expired food items were discarded on the spot. Plus the team also seized improperly labeled products.

The Rameshwaram Cafe

Expired Food Items Discarded: During the inspection, expired food products were found at The Rameshwaram Cafe. Urad Dal (100kg) worth Rs. 16,000 had expired in March 2024. Additionally, 10kg of Nandini curd and 8 liters of milk worth Rs. 700 were also expired. These items were discarded on the spot to prevent any public health risks.

Seized Goods: Authorities seized improperly labeled Raw Rice (450kg) and White Lobia (20kg) valued at Rs. 26,000. Furthermore, 300kg of unlabelled jaggery worth Rs. 30,000 was also seized.

Hygiene and Safety Lapses

There were also several hygiene and safety lapses. Medical fitness certificates for food handlers were not available. Dustbins were not covered properly with lids, raising concerns about sanitation practices.

Baahubali Kitchen

Synthetic Food Colours and Infestation: Baahubali Kitchen was found using synthetic food colors, which were immediately discarded. The kitchen also had a heavy cockroach infestation, with pests found on food items inside the storeroom. The lack of pest control records further highlighted the poor hygiene standards.

Unhygienic Conditions: The kitchen premises were found to be very unhygienic, with water stagnation observed in the cleaning area. Semi-prepared and raw food were improperly stored inside the refrigerator, posing a risk of contamination.

Missing Certifications and Licenses

Similar to The Rameshwaram Cafe, Baahubali Kitchen did not have medical fitness certificates for food handlers. Additionally, the FSSAI License True Copy was not displayed on the premises, violating regulatory requirements.

Penalty

Authorities have taken immediate action to discard expired items and seize improperly labeled goods to ensure public health safety. Further investigations and actions are expected to follow based on these initial findings.

Failure to comply with food safety regulations and directives issued by a Food Safety Officer will result in a fine of ₹2 lakh for any food business operator unless a reasonable justification for non-compliance is provided.