Several eateries in Nizamabad town under scanner for serving rotten meat

Hotels using expired chicken, mutton, prawn and other meat; kitchens also found to be unhygienic, according to officials

Nizamabad: Recent raids conducted by the State Food Safety Task Force have brought serious issues of food adulteration to light at many popular hotels in Nizamabad town, where rotten meat was being cooked and served to customers in gross violation of all safety norms.

The State Food Safety Task Force, led by Zonal Assistant Food Controller V Jyotirmayi, revealed that several hotels in the town were using expired chicken, mutton, prawn and other meat. Besides, the officials also found the kitchens at these hotels to be unhygienic.

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On Saturday, members of the State Food Safety Task Force raided two star hotels, a sweet shop and spice shops in the Mirchi compound.

The kitchen of Lahari Hotel was inspected and 122 kg of meat stored in a plastic cover was found.

Rotten meat items worth Rs 30,000, harmful colours used in cooking, masala mirchi paste and fungus-infected vegetables were identified and destroyed.

The Zonal Assistant Food Controller handed over notices to the hotel management.

An inspection was carried out at Vamsi International Hotel and found non-veg items made with harmful colours and stored in the fridge.

It was found that expired chilli powder and masala powder were being used to prepare dishes.

The hotel’s kitchen was found to be unsanitary with no light and ventilation. The hotel management was served a notice by the food safety team.

Suspicious samples were collected and sent to the lab for testing.

Delhiwala sweet home was found preparing sweets in an unsafe kitchen. The owner of the sweet house was warned that if it does not maintain cleanliness in its kitchen, a criminal case would be registered against him.

The team also raided shops selling spice powders in the market area and collected samples and sent them to the lab for testing.

The Assistant Food Controller said action would be taken against the hotels and restaurants based on the lab report. “We have prioritised food safety, with focus on food that can get spoilt easily. Our food safety teams have been taking up regular inspections at hotels,” she said.

The revelation by the food safety officials has left the citizens of Nizamabad town shocked.