The Cyberabad Municipal Corporation, during its food safety drive, has issued strict instructions to online food delivery platforms, including Swiggy and Zomato, to ensure that only safe and licensed food businesses operate through their platform.
In its instructions to the food delivery firms, it has directed them to list only those restaurants, cloud kitchens and food outlets that have a valid FSSAI and trade licenses. It has urged them to immediately deboard those food businesses whose licenses have either expired, been canceled or suspended for any reason. “Online food delivery platforms must work closely with authorities to ensure that consumers get safe and hygienic food. Only approved and licensed food businesses should be allowed to operate through these platforms,” the civic body said.
Flagging hygiene concerns, it has also asked the food delivery platforms to share the details of food safety ratings, hygiene checks, and inspection-related information with CMC. Additionally, the officials have been instructed to verify the actual location of the restaurant, the cloud kitchens, and ensure that the food is being prepared in an approved premises. It has emphasized thr importance of genuine customer complaints and reviews related to food safety and hygiene and said it should not be hidden or removed. They play a crucial role in improving food safety. “Platforms must ensure transparency and support quick action against hygiene-related complaints, officials said.”
The instructions follow a major inspection drive that was launched by the CMC across Hyderabad, Hyderabad and Malkajgiri areas. Several restaurants, cloud kitchens and food warehouses were inspected and found to be violating hygiene norms. During the inspection, officials found popular eateries presenting poor sanitation, pest infestation, improper food storage, and use of expired items and unsafe kitchen conditions. At renowned restaurants like Shah Ghouse, Mehfil, AnTera, and Ideal Kitchen, officials reported multiple violations. Notices have been issued to these establishments for alleged lapses such as cockroach infestation, unhygienic kitchen conditions, storage of stale food, reuse of cooking oil, and improper waste management.
Besides, a few establishments have also been ordered to stop operations until corrective measures are taken.