The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) has seized 1,035 kg of food products worth ₹7.76 lakh and suspended the food safety licences of three sweet shops following inspections of 21 sweet manufacturing and retail units in Hyderabad ahead of Deepavali.

The enforcement drive was conducted by 11 teams comprising food safety officers and police personnel on Friday. Officials found several violations, including unhygienic premises, pest infestations, expired food products, improper storage practices and deficiencies in mandatory records.

The three establishments whose Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licences were suspended, with instructions to immediately stop business operations, were Vasireddy Swagruha Foods in Prashanth Nagar, Kukatpally; Madhur Sweets in Humayun Nagar, Masab Tank; and B. Bicha Reddy Sweets in Chandanagar. 

Additionally, Sudershan Reddy Pure Ghee Sweets in Tarnaka was also ordered to close for operating without an FSSAI licence. Officials reported unhygienic and slippery flooring, expired food products, pest infestation, rusty and greasy exhausts, and a lack of proper records, including pest control documentation.

At Madhur Sweets, officials cited an incorrect licence category, sweets covered with curtains and newspapers, cockroaches and pests in food products, and expired packed food items. A total of 705 kg of food products worth ₹5.63 lakh was seized from the establishment. Officials also found unhygienic trays and work tables, greasy exhausts and stoves, the use of non-food-grade rose water, missing pest control and food-handler health records.

At B. Bicha Reddy Sweets, officials found unhygienic manufacturing conditions, algal growth on walls, slippery and uneven flooring, rusted equipment, expired food products, cobwebs and rat droppings. A total of 330 kg of ghee worth ₹2.13 lakh was seized for improper labelling. The establishment was also found lacking mandatory documentation, including pest control and food-handler health records.

Apart from the three licence suspensions, officials collected 21 food samples on suspicion of adulteration. Improvement notices will be issued to six establishments, including Meethe Miya in Banjara Hills, Majestic Sweets in Tolichowki, Shiva Nagi Reddy Sweets in Jeedimetla, Godavari Vantillu in Vengal Rao Nagar, Shubham Home Foods and Pramada’s Sweets, Hots and Pickles, both in Indira Park. The establishments will be reinspected to verify compliance with food safety requirements, and further action will be taken based on the findings, officials said.