Food Safety department shuts down 25 eateries for violations

The Food Safety department conducted surprise inspections across Andhra Pradesh on Saturday and shut down 25 establishments for violations of food safety, hygiene and sanitation standards.According to a press release from the department, the simultaneous inspections covered 70 hotels, restaurants and other eateries in all 28 districts. During the inspections, the department found several serious violations, including unhygienic kitchens, improper storage of food, use of unauthorised artificial colours and flavour enhancers, and prolonged storage of cooked food in poorly maintained freezers. Some establishments were also found using paneer made with vegetable oils instead of pure milk.More than 100 kg of cooked food that had been stored in freezers for extended periods and deemed unfit for consumption was seized and destroyed.The department filed 30 legal cases, and served notices on 15 establishments, directing them to rectify deficiencies and comply with food safety regulations. Officials said 10 of the 30 cases were filed against establishments operating without valid food safety licences, while the remaining 20 involved serious hygiene violations.The restaurants that were closed include Casserole Restaurant in Bhavanipuram, Vijayawada; Apna Punjabi Dhaba in Anakapalli; Palagan Dhaba and Pavani Residency Hotel in Nellore; Vayupathra Tiffins and Meals Restaurant in Visakhapatnam; and Hotel Manjunatha Bhavan in Tirupati.The inspections were supervised by Health Principal Secretary G. Veerapandian and Drug Control Administration Director General C. Arun Babu. Published - September 26, 2026 11:05 pm IST