Rat droppings, rotten meat, rust, & more: Telangana's food crackdown reveals the "secret masala" used at popular city restaurants

With each passing day, eating out is becoming more of a gamble. Unhygienic kitchens, expired food, and poorly trained staff are just a few of the red flags making people think twice before dining at restaurants. The latest inspections in Telangana only add to the concern.

According to an update from the Commissioner of Food Safety, Telangana, several food joints in the state were recently found unfit for human consumption during surprise checks by the state-level task force team.

Hotel Mayuri Inn: Rotten Veggies and Poor Sanitation
At Hotel Mayuri Inn, inspectors observed several alarming issues. As per an official post on X, “FSSAI licence is not displayed at a prominent location. No proper hygiene is maintained within the cooking premises and vegetable store area. Food handlers are not taking proper sanitary measures and they are not FOSTAC-trained.

"Rotten & fungal-infested cabbages and beetroots are identified in the vegetable store area. Long stored meat and unlabelled paneer observed in the refrigerator. Refrigerators are untidy and appropriate temperatures are not maintained. No pest control measures have been taken.”

State level task force team has conducted inspections in food establishments in Nirmal district on 16.04.2025.

𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝘂𝗿𝗶 𝗜𝗻𝗻, 𝗡𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻

* FSSAI llicence is not displayed at a prominent location.

* No proper hygiene is maintained within the cooking… pic.twitter.com/i48lOkltYi

— Commissioner of Food Safety, Telangana (@cfs_telangana) April 18, 2025

IFC Restaurant: Rat Faeces and Expired Sauces
Things were no better at IFC Restaurant, where the kitchen was found in a highly unhygienic state. Staff were not following personal hygiene practices, and expired sauces and insect-infected raw materials were discovered. Shockingly, rat faeces were found in the storage area.

A post from the Commissioner’s official handle on X stated, “FBO running the business without valid licence. There’s no proper drainage system in the preparation area. Refrigerator was highly rusty and in unhygienic condition. Iron knives were found which are rusty. Water analysis reports, pest control reports and medical certificates for food handlers were not available. Dustbins were found open.”

𝗜𝗙𝗖 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁, 𝗡𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻
16.04.2025

* No proper hygiene is maintained within the cooking premises and store room.

* Food handlers are not well trained and no personal hygiene is maintained.

* Sewage system in the kitchen was found to be clogged.

*… pic.twitter.com/wRfhy2oEFH

— Commissioner of Food Safety, Telangana (@cfs_telangana) April 18, 2025

Bandhan Sweet House: Expired Bread and Synthetic Colours

At Bandhan Sweet House, expired bread packets and unlabelled ready-to-eat snacks were found and destroyed. Inspectors also suspected the excessive use of synthetic food colours in items like green peas and sev. Food handlers were working without gloves or hair caps, violating basic safety standards.

A1 Fruit and Juice Shop: Rusty Tools and No Licence
Even a juice outlet wasn’t spared. A1 Fruit and Juice Shop, located at Door No 69-A, Vengalrao Nagar, was also pulled up for serious violations.

𝗔𝟭 𝗙𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽
𝗗𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼 𝟲𝟵-𝗔, 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗮𝗼 𝗡𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗿
16.04.2025

* FBO running the business without valid license.

* There’s no proper drainage system in the preparation area.

* Refrigerator was highly rusty and in unhygienic… pic.twitter.com/nspry1z6P5

— Commissioner of Food Safety, Telangana (@cfs_telangana) April 17, 2025

As per the inspection report, “FBO running the business without valid licence. There’s no proper drainage system in the preparation area. Refrigerator was highly rusty and in unhygienic condition. Iron knives were found which are rusty. Water analysis reports, pest control reports and medical certificates for food handlers were not available. Dustbins were found open.”

The post also issued a strong warning, “Establishments operating without a valid FSSAI licence/registration will be CLOSED, after giving notice as per the FSS Act, 2006.”

The findings raise important questions about the safety of the food we eat outside.

As consumers, we should also stay alert, check for visible cleanliness, ensure food is served fresh, and don't hesitate to report outlets violating safety norms.