Hyderabad: Food department raids Rameshwaram Cafe, finds expired items in use

In a significant crackdown, the Hyderabad food safety department raided the Bengaluru-based Rameshwaram Cafe, known for its South Indian breakfast delicacies, and discovered several food safety breaches. The inspection revealed the use of expired and improperly labeled food items, posing serious health risks.

Also Read: Rameswaram Cafe bomb blast case: Explosive revelations made by those arrested, their target was to bomb SEZs

During the raid, officials seized 100 kg of expired Urad Dal valued at ₹16,000, 10 kg of expired Nandini Curd, and eight litres of expired milk. Additionally, they confiscated 450 kg of improperly labeled raw rice, 20 kg of white labia, and 300 kg of unlabeled jaggery. The cafe was also cited for not submitting medical fitness certificates for its food handlers and for keeping uncovered dustbins.

The Hyderabad food safety department has been intensifying its inspections across the city, targeting eateries for non-compliance with hygiene standards. On the same day, a raid on Baahubali Kitchen exposed severe hygiene issues, including cockroaches in stored food items, leading to a notice being issued to the restaurant’s owners.

Rameshwaram Cafe, which expanded its Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chain to Hyderabad's Madhapur area in January, has built a reputation for its ghee-laden idlis and dosas. The popular eatery, often visited by celebrities, was previously in the headlines due to a bomb blast at its Bengaluru’s Kundalahalli branch in March, injuring ten people.

These raids highlight the urgent need for strict adherence to food safety regulations to ensure consumer health. The food safety department's vigilant actions aim to enforce high standards of hygiene and safety across all eateries in Hyderabad.