Hyderabad: Food Safety Violations Reported at Sodexo’s Hitec City Unit

The Central Production Unit of Sodexo India Services Pvt Ltd in Hitec City, Kondapur, has been found to violate multiple food safety standards, according to a recent inspection by the Commissioner of Food Safety teams. The inspection uncovered serious hygiene issues and improper food handling practices at the facility, leading to concerns about the safety of food produced there.

Among the violations, a house fly infestation was discovered in the reception area where raw materials were stored. In the kitchen, food items were found uncovered, and raw meat was dripping blood in the chiller room. Additionally, food waste was accumulating in kitchen drains, further raising alarms about hygiene.

The teams also found 16 kilograms of paneer packets without proper packaging dates, which were discarded immediately. Food items were stored directly on the cold storage floor in plastic trays, and the kitchen and grinding areas had patchy flooring. The grinding area was wet due to scattered food waste, and there was inadequate space between the walls and storage racks, making it difficult to maintain cleanliness.

These violations have raised serious concerns regarding food safety at the facility, urging authorities to take necessary actions. The inspection serves as a reminder for food production units to adhere to hygiene standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, to ensure consumer health and safety.

In response, Sodexo India issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to food safety. The company acknowledged the recent inspection as a valuable opportunity to improve and collaborate with industry experts. "Ensuring consumer safety remains our utmost priority," the company stated, emphasizing their stringent Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) benchmarks.

While awaiting the official post-audit report, Sodexo pointed out the 93% compliance score it received in the FSSAI safety audit checklist, which recognizes the company’s best practices in food safety. Sodexo assured that it would continue to focus on continuous improvement, addressing the identified areas for enhancement to maintain its high standards of food handling.