Tirupati Authorities Issue Notices to Restaurant Chains Over Food Safety Violations
The Municipal Corporation of Tirupati has issued notices to several multinational restaurant chains following inspections that revealed significant food safety violations and failures to comply with waste management regulations, particularly regarding food storage and hygiene at specific outlets.
Highlights
- •MCT officials inspected multinational restaurant chains for food safety and hygiene compliance.
- •Two KFC outlets were issued notices for storing over 600kg of unhygienic chicken on the floor.
- •Inspections found multiple outlets violating Solid Waste Management Rules regarding waste segregation.
- •Authorities confirmed that rigorous health and sanitation inspections will continue across Tirupati.
The Municipal Corporation of Tirupati (MCT) has officially initiated enforcement actions against various multinational restaurant chains due to serious food safety violations. This recent regulatory move follows comprehensive inspections conducted across the city to ensure compliance with health and hygiene protocols.
Details of Food Safety Inspections in Tirupati
The rigorous inspection drive was orchestrated under the guidance of district collector Dr. S. Venkateswar and MCT commissioner Sarada Devi. A specialized team, comprising the MCT Health officer Dr. Yuva Anvesh along with representatives from the Food Safety, Veterinary, and Sanitation departments, carried out these checks to uphold public health standards. The primary focus of these efforts was to ensure that major food outlets strictly adhere to mandatory hygiene regulations.
During the examination of two KFC locations—one situated in Bhavani Nagar and another along the AIR Bypass Road—officials identified significant lapses. Approximately 684 kg and 683 kg of chicken, respectively, were discovered stored on the floor rather than on designated, sanitary racks. According to Dr. Yuva Anvesh, this inventory, which had been transported from Bengaluru on June 17, had become unhygienic and was emitting a foul odor, rendering it entirely unsuitable for public consumption.
Furthermore, the inspection team noted that several food items lacked the required MRD (Made, Ready, and Discard) labels. The facilities also exhibited poor maintenance of storage areas, including leaking water taps that caused stagnant water accumulation, which poses a severe contamination risk.
Compliance with Solid Waste Management Rules
While the enforcement authorities issued notices to the outlets with severe violations, they also evaluated other prominent establishments to ensure widespread adherence to standards. Inspections were performed at various branches of Domino’s Pizza, McDonald’s, and Subway. While these specific outlets were found to be meeting the necessary hygiene and food safety benchmarks, officials discovered a common issue across several restaurants: the improper segregation of waste.
The failure to categorize refuse into wet, dry, and hazardous streams constitutes a direct breach of the Solid Waste Management Rules. Consequently, the Municipal Corporation of Tirupati has issued formal notices to all restaurants inspected during this drive. These establishments are now mandated to implement proper waste segregation practices immediately. Authorities have confirmed that these regulatory inspections will remain an ongoing initiative, as the city remains committed to maintaining high standards of quality, hygiene, and environmental responsibility within the hospitality sector.
