Food Safety officials detect multiple 'violations' at Lulu Hypermarket in Telangana

Hyderabad: The Telangana Food Safety officials conducted an inspection at Lulu Hypermarket here and detected "multiple serious violations" across the premises.

Based on a complaint, the inspection was conducted and violations pertaining to in-house kitchen, retail area and butchering area were observed and approximately 150 kg of food articles including sweets, oils, flour and pulses with "infestation were seized/discarded".

The Commissioner of Food Safety, Telangana in a post on 'X' on Monday night said, "Food samples lifted on suspicion of adulteration or excess artificial colour usage and pest-infested besan flour have been sent for analysis".

According to officials, poor hygiene conditions were observed, leftover food stored in refrigerators was discarded on the spot besides presence of pests and decayed vegetables were found.

Near-expiry packed food articles with torn/ misleading labels were also detected.

The officials further said insect infestation was found in besan flour, atta and dals and packed food articles with expired FSSAI licence was identified.

There were violations also with regard to labelling, display including absence of nutritional information, FSSAI licence details and manufacturer address.

In the butchering area, drains were clogged with meat waste emitting pungent smell, posing serious public health concern, the officials added.

In a public advisory, consumers were advised to remain vigilant while purchasing food products from retail outlets, supermarkets, bakeries and eateries.