Hyderabad: Taj Falaknuma Palace and Golconda Hotel and Resorts at Masab Tank were among the establishments on which the Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) served notice after inspections on Saturday, according to a release from the agency.

The agency also served notice on Hotel Sabzi near Itebar Chowk and Mandi at 36 Arabian Kitchen at Charminar, Pista House at Shahalibanda, Sweekar Hotel at Santoshnagar, Imperial Multicuisine Restaurant at Tolichowki and Taiba Bakery on Bazarghat Main Road.

Officials said they found serious violations and said further action, including penalties, would follow.

An official source said: “Expired and mislabelled food items and pest infestation were found at Taj Falaknuma Palace during the inspection.

Frozen meat was being stored with a stated shelf life of 90 days without proper shelf-life studies,” the source said.

Cooking oil in use was also tested, and its total polar compounds (TPC) count was found to be 27, above the permissible limit of 25.

A show-cause notice has been issued to the establishment, whose management must appear and explain the violations.

“A compoundable case will also be booked,” the official added.

It said it had suspended the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licences of 14 restaurants and eating establishments including some well-known brands in the Golconda and Charminar zones after finding unhygienic kitchens, pest infestations, expired food items and improper food storage.

The 14 establishments whose licences were suspended were Hotel Sri Raghavendra Udupi Veg at Brindavan Colony Road and Alsaba Hotel, both at Tolichowki; Lucky Restaurant and Hotel Sri Raghavendra Udupi Veg at Santoshnagar; Shah Ghouse Cafe at Shahalibanda; Hotel Nayaab at Nayapul; Sri Balaji Family Dhaba and Siddique Kabab Central Kitchen at Gudimalkapur; Mehfil Restaurant at Dilsukhnagar; Dine Hill Restaurant, Sohail Restaurant and Hotel Akshaya Tiffins at Malakpet; Hotel Venkateshwara on MJR Road; and Aeezebo The Royal Arabian Restaurant at Salar Jung Colony, Rethibowli.

Officials found cockroaches, houseflies and rat droppings in several kitchens.

Some establishments had damaged or waterlogged floors, greasy exhaust systems, unclean refrigerators and expired or fungus-contaminated food.

Inspectors also reported raw meat stored alongside vegetarian food, uncovered food items, missing labels and food handlers working without hairnets or aprons.

At Siddique Kabab Central Kitchen, officials reported cats roaming inside the kitchen, and at Aeezebo The Royal Arabian Restaurant cockroaches in the drinking-water storage tank.

At Shah Ghouse Cafe, inspectors found workers consuming gutka or pan masala and food items affected by pests and fungal contamination.

Other violations included the use of newspapers to cover food, poor drainage, inadequate lighting and ventilation, and the absence of mandatory pest-control and employee health records.

TG SAFE directed the 14 establishments to stop operations immediately in the interest of public health.

Further action will depend on the proceedings against the establishments.

Twenty-two enforcement teams comprising food safety officers and police personnel inspected 22 establishments as part of a special drive.

The inspections resulted in the collection of 21 food samples on suspicion of adulteration.

Officials also discarded 544 kg of spoiled and contaminated vegetables, leftover food, expired products and food items infested with pests.

Another 13 kg of used cooking oil was discarded on suspicion of repeated use.

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