The Telangana food safety department suspended FSSAI licences of seven KFC outlets in Hyderabad on November 12. Inspections showed serious hygiene lapses, including cockroach and rodent infestations, fungal growth, and expired food products. Officials ordered these outlets to stop operations immediately until they fix these safety issues and follow rules.

The Telangana food safety department has suspended the FSSAI licences of seven KFC outlets in Hyderabad following inspections that reportedly uncovered serious hygiene lapses, including cockroach and rodent infestations, fungal growth, expired food products and unsafe food handling practices.

According to a Times of India report, the Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG-SAFE) conducted a special enforcement drive across the CURE region on November 12.

As many as 13 teams, comprising food safety officers and police personnel, inspected 26 fast-food outlets as part of the exercise.

The inspections exposed several lapses in kitchen hygiene, food preparation and storage, the report said.

Officials reportedly found cockroaches and houseflies, fungal growth on walls, greasy utensils, unclean food preparation equipment and rat droppings at some establishments.

Inspectors also found that certain outlets were using magnesium silicate, an unauthorised substance, to filter used cooking oil for reuse.

Following the inspections, authorities suspended the FSSAI licences of seven KFC outlets and ordered them to immediately halt operations.

Madinaguda-Miyapur

Sindhi Colony, Secunderabad

Punch Mohalla, Charminar

Moosarambagh

Banjara Hills

Shilpa Kala Vedika, Hitec City

Inorbit Mall, Madhapur

These establishments are located at Sarath City Mall in Kondapur, Karkhana, Himayatnagar and Shaikpet.

The outlets will be reinspected to verify whether they have addressed the shortcomings flagged during the inspections and brought their operations in line with prescribed food safety standards.

Authorities will examine their responses before deciding on further action, including the imposition of penalties.

Bakingo discards 60 kg of cake bases over expiry concerns

In a separate food safety action in Hyderabad, officials discarded 60 kg of cake bases during an inspection at Bakingo's Madhapur outlet over concerns that the ingredients were being used beyond their stated expiry date.

According to a report by ANI, TG-SAFE officials found that the cake bases carried an expiry date of November 10, 2026, but were allegedly being used to prepare cakes sold to consumers with a declared shelf life extending until November 12.

An official told ANI that the food safety team inspected the premises, discarded the 60 kg of cake bases and submitted a report. Further action will be taken based on the findings.