Hyderabad, India — An inspection by the Hyderabad Food Safety Department on Monday revealed that a warehouse in Cyberabad was storing dairy items well past their “use‑by” dates and that the storage conditions failed to meet basic hygiene standards. The same inspection team also found violations at two nearby food‑service outlets, prompting immediate closure orders and fines.
The department’s report indicated that the warehouse, which supplies several local retailers, contained milk, curd and paneer batches whose labels showed expiry dates up to three months earlier than the inspection date. Investigators noted that the products were kept in a non‑refrigerated area, with temperatures reportedly exceeding 10 °C, far above the 4 °C threshold required for perishable dairy goods.
Inspectors also cited the two food outlets — a fast‑food stall on Miyapur Road and a café in the Gachibowli business district — for lapses that included storing opened dairy items in open trays, lacking temperature logs, and failing to display mandatory food‑safety certifications. Both establishments were ordered to cease operations until corrective measures were verified.
The food‑safety chief, R. Raghavendra, said the findings underscore “systemic gaps in cold‑chain management” among small‑scale suppliers and vendors in the region. He added that the department will increase surprise inspections and has instructed the state health ministry to issue updated guidelines on dairy handling.
Analysis:
The incident highlights persistent challenges in India’s cold‑chain infrastructure, especially for perishable goods distributed through third‑party warehouses. Poor temperature control not only jeopardizes consumer health but also erodes trust in local supply chains, potentially affecting market demand for dairy products. By targeting both the storage hub and the end‑point vendors, regulators are attempting to address the problem at multiple points in the distribution network.
If unchecked, such lapses could lead to higher incidences of food‑borne illnesses, which in turn may prompt stricter regulatory oversight and higher compliance costs for small businesses. The immediate closures serve as a deterrent, but lasting improvement will likely require investment in reliable refrigeration equipment and training for warehouse staff and retail operators.
Sources
The Hindu. “Expired dairy products, poor storage practices found at warehouse in Cyberabad; violations detected at two food outlets.” https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/expired-dairy-products-poor-storage-practices-found-at-warehouse-in-cyberabad-violations-detected-at-two-food-outlets/article71181795.ece
Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
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