The Food Safety Task Force and Food Safety Officers (FSOs) conducted surprise inspections at 10 Absolute Barbeque outlets in Hyderabad on September 9, 2025, following a complaint lodged with the Commissioner of Food Safety. The raids revealed multiple serious violations of food safety standards, raising concerns over hygiene practices at the popular restaurant chain.
Outlets Inspected
The inspections covered branches at AS Rao Nagar, Kompally, Medipally, Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Gachibowli, Inorbit Mall, Miyapur, Vanasthalipuram, and Secunderabad.
Key Violations Found
The inspection teams reported several lapses in hygiene and food safety, including:
- Dirty utensils, flooring, and wash areas across multiple outlets.
- Unclean and un-defrosted fridges used for food storage.
- Damaged and degenerated chopping boards posing contamination risks.
- Pest infestation, with cockroaches and houseflies found in Banjara Hills and Gachibowli outlets.
- Expired food items detected at the Medipally outlet.
- Rotten fruits with fungal infestation at the Inorbit outlet.
Unsafe Storage Practices
- The Food Safety Task Force also highlighted major storage-related violations:
- Food items stored directly on the floor and near rat pads.
- Beetle-infested flour at the AS Rao Nagar outlet.
- Rat feces on racks and rusty, unhygienic storage conditions.
- Improper labelling and display violations under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations (FSSR) 2020.
Action Taken
Authorities have seized unsafe items, issued notices to the management, and collected samples for testing. Officials confirmed that further action will be initiated under the Food Safety and Standards Act based on lab reports.
Why This Matters
Absolute Barbeque is a well-known chain in Hyderabad, often frequented by families and large groups. The findings raise questions about restaurant hygiene, expired food use, and compliance with FSSAI regulations, urging stricter monitoring of food businesses in the city.
FAQs
1. Why did the Food Safety Task Force inspect Absolute Barbeque outlets in Hyderabad?
The inspections were conducted on September 9, 2025, after a complaint was raised to the Commissioner of Food Safety regarding unhygienic practices.
2. Which Absolute Barbeque outlets in Hyderabad were inspected?
Ten outlets were inspected: AS Rao Nagar, Kompally, Medipally, Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Gachibowli, Inorbit Mall, Miyapur, Vanasthalipuram, and Secunderabad.
3. What violations were found during the inspections?
Violations included dirty utensils, expired food, pest infestation, rotten fruits, beetle-infested flour, rat feces in storage racks, and improper labelling under FSSR 2020.
4. What action has been taken against Absolute Barbeque?
Authorities have seized unsafe food items, issued notices, lifted samples for testing, and initiated action under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
5. What does this mean for restaurant safety in Hyderabad?
The raids highlight the need for strict monitoring of restaurants to ensure compliance with food safety standards and prevent risks to public health.