HYDERABAD, TELANGANA — In response to recent national compliance data, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC), alongside the State Food Safety Task Force, have significantly escalated their enforcement operations. This surge marks one of the most aggressive food safety inspection drives currently active in India.
The intensified crackdown follows a recent evaluation by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which placed Hyderabad at the bottom tier among major Indian metropolitan cities for overall food hygiene ratings. According to recent data, only a minute fraction of the city’s estimated 75,000 food establishments currently operate with valid hygiene certifications or active safety licenses.
Uncompromising Enforcement & Major Violations Found
Over the past several weeks, surprise enforcement raids have targeted high-profile culinary establishments, popular local chains, and upscale mall multiplexes across the city. Notable operations include inspections at Shah Ghouse (Gachibowli), Mehfil (Hitec City), and major commercial hubs like Lulu Mall and Inorbit Mall.
The task forces have uncovered severe and systemic compliance failures across various venues, including:
• Contamination Risks: Proximity of stagnant water, active pest infestations (houseflies), and uncovered raw meat storage.
• Expired Inventory: Industrial kitchens utilizing out-of-date ingredients and discarded prepared foods held past safe consumption thresholds.
• Administrative Lapses: A widespread failure to maintain mandatory water-quality testing logs, pest control certificates, and medical fitness records for food handlers.
Authorities Demand Immediate Compliance
Municipal leaders have clarified that the current momentum of surprise raids will not slow down. Establishments found in violation face immediate penalties, including heavy fines, temporary seizure of kitchen areas, and formal closure notices for critical offenders.
The government’s primary objective is to aggressively bridge the gap between Hyderabad’s current bottom-tier hygiene status and the strict statutory mandates laid out by federal regulators.
Official Directive: “Public health is non-negotiable. Food business operators (FBOs) must secure appropriate FSSAI licensing and implement rigorous hygiene protocols immediately. Consistently failing to meet basic sanitation standards will result in strict prosecution.”
Empowering Public Oversight
To complement the inspection drive, local municipal authorities are actively urging citizens to become part of the oversight process. Consumers who witness poor sanitation or fall ill due to unhygienic food are encouraged to log formal complaints directly with the government:
• Federal Reporting: File a formal grievance online through the FSSAI National Consumer Portal.
• Local Action: Tag active violations on social media channels by contacting @GHMCOnline and @CMC_Offcl on X (formerly Twitter), or submit complaints via the official GHMC Web Portal.

Media Contact:
Directorate of Food Safety & Public Relations
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC)
Hyderabad, Telangana