Task force raids food processing units at Patancheru

Hyderabad: While conducting inspections, a task force team found severe hygiene and safety violations at food processing units (FPUs) in IDA Patancheru. The team has raided Instahot Foods Pvt. Ltd. and Asati Rajkumar Roller Flour Mills Pvt. Ltd.

At Instahot Foods, officials found improper food storage, with items placed directly on the ground and rusted racks. Expired food products, including Kasturi Methi (1.25 kg), Mustard Seeds (0.5 kg), and Rai Mota (1 kg), were discarded. Additionally, 1.5 kg of Nutmeg was seized due to missing labeling details such as MRP, batch number, and packing date. Some food items were stored under a leaking air conditioner, raising contamination concerns.

The inspection also revealed severely unhygienic conditions, including spoiled vegetables, rotten tomatoes and cockroach infestations in the cooking and grinding areas. The floors were covered with food waste, drains were clogged, dustbins were not maintained and waste being dumped in plastic bags. Other violations included water testing being conducted at a non-NABL-accredited laboratory and a lack of records for testing packaging materials.

At Asati Rajkumar Roller Flour Mills, inspectors noted that the FSSAI license was not displayed and food items were stored alongside non-food materials such as cement and tyres. The facility had rodent and bird infestations, with droppings found inside the premises. Walls and ceilings were covered in cobwebs and peeling paint.

Food handlers were found working without aprons and hair caps. The grain washing section was in an extremely unhygienic state, emitting a foul smell, while the storage area for cleaned wheat was dirty and covered in cobwebs. Additionally, the mill failed to maintain essential records, including pest control reports, water analysis results, employee health records and food safety training certificates.