Hyderabad Restaurant Issued Improvement Notice for Multiple Food Safety Violations

Hyderabad — Nawaabs Restaurant in Anjaiah Nagar has been served an improvement notice by the Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) following the discovery of significant hygiene and food safety deficiencies during an inspection on June 18.

The inspection was conducted as part of CMC's ongoing food safety monitoring programme throughout Cyberabad. The assessment examined food handling protocols, storage facilities, and overall sanitation standards at the establishment.

While inspectors noted certain commendable practices, including the maintenance of separate storage areas for vegetarian and non-vegetarian items, proper wrapping of raw meat, and the absence of synthetic colour usage, several critical violations were identified.

Among the major concerns was the discovery of stale food items — including meat, rice, noodles, and chicken preparations — stored in freezers. Inspectors also documented improper butchering techniques involving non-food-grade cutting surfaces and observed water pooling along with slippery conditions in food preparation zones. The restaurant lacked hot water sanitation equipment for utensil cleaning.

Additional violations included frozen prawns and ready-to-eat items stored without appropriate labelling or date markings, along with poor freezer conditions characterised by foul odours and blood residue. The inspection team further noted the use of unhygienic cleaning cloths in food handling spaces.

Documentation gaps were also apparent, with food handler medical fitness certificates and water quality test reports unavailable at the time of inspection. Minor pest presence was detected in storage areas.

The CMC has directed the establishment to immediately address these deficiencies and enhance its hygiene protocols. The restaurant achieved a score of 140 out of 196 points in the hygiene assessment, equivalent to 71 per cent.

The corporation stated it will maintain regular inspection schedules across Cyberabad to strengthen food safety compliance and safeguard public health.