Swiggy-based outlet fined for stale biryani
■ Sham food outlet was run from 2BHK flat; fined `10,000
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation’s food safety wing has imposed a `10,000 fine on a city-based hotel Zippy at Sainikpuri for selling stale biryani on Wednesday.
The team swung into action after a man complained to authorities.
When the inspection team went to the restaurant, it found loads of leftover biryani boxes, noodles and other dishes which were kept in a refrigerator and heated in a microwave on receiving an order.
“I had ordered a chicken biryani for my daughter through Swiggy,” complainant Mr N. Ravinder Goud said when contacted. “When my daughter began eating, she sensed something was not right. I checked and found that, indeed, the biryani was stale. We somehow tracked the restaurant and, to our surprise, found they were selling food in the same way, after refrigerating. We found many boxes of food, some already spoiled.”
According to video evidence, Zippy runs its business only through Swiggy. The food is reportedly prepared at Ramanathapuram before being transferred to Sainikpuri, where they operate from a 2BHK flat. They have a few refrigerators and a couple of microwave owens in which they allegedly recycle the food and sell.
However, the place has obtained certification from various authorities, such as FSSAI and GHMC to run its “hotel and restaurant”.
GHMC food inspectors imposed a fine of `10,000 on Zippy. “Necessary action should be taken against such unhygienic places,” Mr Ravinder said.
“In a way, they are playing with people’s lives. My daughter vomited a few times after consuming this food. Simply imposing a fine is not enough. Such places should be seized.”
GHMC officials said they will take necessary action to curb such unhygienic practices in restaurants.