Hyderabad: Hygiene violations land pheni makers in trouble

Hyderabad: Ahead of the festive season, the Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) Food Wing conducted surprise inspections at 12 pheni manufacturing units across Hyderabad, seizing 1,950 kg of stock valued at Rs 2.30 lakh. Officials uncovered severe hygiene violations, including products stored directly on dirty floors and missing mandatory licences.

The crackdown involved 12 joint teams comprising Food Safety Officers and police personnel inspecting manufacturing and retail establishments across the Core Urban Region (CURE), covering Charminar, Begum Bazar, Moosarambagh, Attapur, Jiyaguda, and Badangpet. Raids targeted establishments including Sri Ganesh Khara and Feni at Attapur, JP Foods at Jiyaguda, Prem Puri Sweet Phani Shop at Charminar, Mahaveer Namkeen at Badangpet, and GM Mixture at Attapur.

Inspectors confiscated the stock due to labelling violations and quality suspicions, collecting 12 samples for laboratory testing. Key operational failures included units using retail licences instead of manufacturing permissions, unhygienic premises, poor personal hygiene among workers, and absent hairnets. Inspectors also noted pan masala spitting stains, fly infestations, uncovered food, and a complete absence of pest-control or worker health records.

Consequently, TG SAFE ordered Anjani Foods and Pheni Works in Jiyaguda to cease operations immediately for operating without a licence under filthy conditions. Furthermore, authorities suspended FSSAI licences for five businesses, halting their activities instantly. Show-cause notices were served to six other facilities, including JP Foods at Attapur, Jaipur Jodpur Pheniwala at Madhuban Colony, Ram Niwas Puri Sweet Pheniwala at Mahaboob Gunj, GM Mixtures at Begum Bazar, Bhagirath Foods at Jiyaguda, and Balaji Pheni Udyog at Moosarambagh.

The enforcement drive highlights TG SAFE's commitment to protecting public health by enforcing strict food standards across sweet production units before festival sales peak. Officials emphasized that rigorous checks will continue throughout the region to ensure total compliance with safety regulations.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MM Farooqui

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M M Farooqui, senior correspondent with interest in writing a range of stories about Hyderabad and its Purana Sheher. An experienced journalist specializing in departments including Heritage, Transport, Municipal Corporation, Majlis among others with over six years of writing expertise. When not immersed in writing, he can be found spending time in eating Hyderabadi cuisines, Mughlai, Chinese, exploring new things and listening to songs and qawwalis. Farooqui is an accomplished writer with a passion for writing with six years of experience, he has honed his craft in various genres. Farooqui’s diverse family history and embracing cultures have enriched his writing with unique perspectives.

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