Expired curd used to prepare mint chaas, stale lettuce, unlabelled meat, dirty storage areas and fly-infested kitchens were among the shocking violations uncovered during Cyberabad Food Safety inspections at popular brands including Zepto, Alsaba Restaurant, KFC, Burger King, Fire Water Neo Bar & Kitchen and Rebel Foods.
Two establishments were ordered to halt operations until they comply with food safety norms.
The inspections, carried out by CMC Food Safety teams on July 9 as part of routine enforcement across Cyberabad, exposed serious lapses ranging from poor hygiene and improper food storage to the use of expired food items and missing documentation.
Officials discarded expired and unlabelled food on the spot and initiated action against erring establishments.
At Zepto’s warehouse in Narsingi, inspectors found racks, crates, floors, walls and ceilings covered with dirt. Food waste was scattered across storage areas, food bags were placed directly on the floor without pallets, and food items were stored alongside non-food materials.
The insect control unit was improperly positioned, the FSSAI licence was not displayed prominently, and air curtains were found unclean. The warehouse scored just 30 out of 60 (50%) in the hygiene assessment.
Authorities directed the Food Business Operator (FBO) to temporarily stop accepting orders and resume operations only after carrying out complete cleaning and rectifying all deficiencies.
Alsaba Restaurant in Gachibowli was found with some of the most serious violations during the drive. Officials observed improperly stored meat, unhygienic slaughtering conditions, water stagnation, fly infestation and unclean worker washrooms.
Rumali roti was being prepared adjacent to unhygienic washrooms, while hot water sanitisation of utensils was not being followed. Water testing reports and medical fitness certificates of food handlers were also unavailable.
The restaurant secured only 69 out of 150 marks (46%). Authorities initiated action to suspend its FSSAI licence and ordered the outlet to remain closed until compliance with food safety standards is verified.
At Fire Water Neo Bar & Kitchen in Nanakramguda, inspectors found several prepared food items assigned shelf lives of two to five days without scientific validation. Raw crabs, chicken, prawns, vegetables and other food items were stored without labels, while expired mushrooms were also found.
The unlabelled food and expired mushrooms were discarded immediately. Officials also noted that vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items were stored together, cooking water had not been tested, and medical fitness records of food handlers were unavailable.
The establishment scored 71 out of 108 marks (66%), and an improvement notice will be issued.
