Sealed Restaurants Opened Just Two Days Later

Some restaurants, whose food licences were suspended or which were sealed or served notices following inspections on Saturday, have resumed operations on Monday, two days after suspension, raising questions over follow-up enforcement by municipal corporations and the Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE).

The lax regulation angered people, who have become increasingly conscious of food hygiene and adulteration. However, they said there was no clear mechanism for them to know the food quality before eating at the restaurant.

“Every restaurant should display their licence number on the restaurant name board, menu cards and on websites,” said K. Nalini, a homemaker.

“For families like us, restaurant visits are a perk we offer our children to celebrate their success in academics or sports. Authorities should keep in mind that children eat the same food,” she added.

Students staying away from home and employees said eating outside frequently was not a choice but a necessity for them. “Students like me, who manage studies, sports and also prepare for government exams away from home, are more dependent on outside food,” said a student based in Madhapur.

There have also been instances of commercial establishments telling customers that they possess licences, including trade licences issued by municipal authorities and FSSAI licences, when they do not have them.

“We chose an expensive restaurant over a budget friendly one in the hope that we are not served stale or unhygienic food. Irony is, the ones that charge a comparatively higher price, are in the offenders list,” said Pidhsetty Himesh.

He said that when customers enquired about permits, they were shown licences from irrelevant departments and certificates and awards issued by lesser-known organisations.

Officials said customers should check the status of restaurants before visiting them. “A customer must follow TG Safe on social media where every detail is posted and check their restaurant status while going to eat,” said TG Safe commissioner Avinash Mohanty.

“Even the food delivery applications are specifically posting that a particular restaurant is closed due to its license suspension,” he added.

Another official said sub-inspectors and constables had been sent to LB Nagar for re-inspections. “We are making all efforts to close the restaurants as suspense notices are issued,” he said.

On a few restaurants in Gachibowli, officials said they had been closed on Monday after notices were physically served. “After inspection, in some cases serving notices physically took a day or two. Only during that period they were open and closed soon after physical notice was handed over to them,” said an official from TG SAFE.