Hans News Service Hyderabad

A food safety raid conducted at a warehouse located in the Old City on Wednesday uncovered expired food products, spoiled vegetables, damaged milk packets and several lapses in storage, hygiene and sanitation practices.

Officials conducted a raid at Instakart Services Pvt Ltd on Panjeshah Road, in Pathergatti. Based on the findings, officials recommended issuing an improvement notice and suspending the food licence of the facility.

According to officials, the inspection team found expired cut fruits, ID idli and dosa batter, cashews and Nandini ghee at the facility. Officials also found compounded asafoetida powder being sold under the LG brand Hing.

The packaged vegetable section contained rotten and spoiled vegetables, including brinjal. “Several milk packets were found soiled, leaking or damaged. Swollen milk-product and tetra pack packages were also observed, raising concerns over possible spoilage,” said an official.

Furthermore, the freezer temperature was recorded at around -16.4°C. Leaking or spoiled cheese, milk, oil and ice-cream products were found inside the freezer, posing a potential risk of cross-contamination.

The team also flagged damaged and rusted storage shelves and advised that they be properly maintained. Food and non-food items were found stored together, indicating inadequate segregation.

Racks, shelves and surrounding areas were covered with food residues, dust and dirt. Officials noted that the facility did not maintain or produce proper cleaning and deep-cleaning records during the inspection.

The team also found that First-In-First-Out (FIFO) and First-Expired-First-Out (FEFO) stock rotation practices were not being properly followed.

Damaged, expired, spoiled and otherwise unfit food items were segregated and discarded on the spot.