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#Telangana Telangana High Court orders statewide food safety crackdown in G. Pulla Reddy Sweets licence case. The Court has directed the State to intensify inspections across Telangana, observing that food safety is not just a public health issue but also involves fundamental rights and statutory obligations. Enforcement must apply to all #food business operators, not just one establishment. G. Pulla Reddy #Sweets had challenged the suspension of its FSSAI licence over alleged hygiene violations at its Sanath Nagar premises. The Court did not order immediate restoration of the licence. During hearing, officials informed the Court that a Nov 4 inspection found several deficiencies still persisting - untidy washing area, #unclean kitchen walls, cobwebs in store and dispatch sections, milk residue in khoa-making unit, live cockroaches in sweet-making and baking units, dead insects on refrigerator lids, holes in walls, dust, rusted trays and rust on cold room ceiling. The Court noted photographs showed holes in walls, a worker preparing food with bare hands and without head covering, and #unhygienic conditions in cooking area and utensils. The State informed the Court that licences of more than 17 food business operators have already been suspended in a statewide drive. The Court directed the Commissioner of Food Safety to issue instructions to all District Food Safety Officers and Designated Officers for strict and uniform implementation of food safety laws. Authorities were directed to identify operators functioning without valid licences, stop sale of expired, #adulterated, #contaminated and unsafe food, prepare a district-wise inspection programme covering restaurants, hotels, bakeries, sweet shops, meat and fish shops, grocery stores, supermarkets, street food stalls, catering units and others, collect samples and act against violators. The Court also directed an effective public grievance mechanism and awareness programmes on licensing and safe food handling. Commissioner of Food Safety to submit a comprehensive compliance report within eight weeks. The Court clarified the directions are not a one-time exercise and continuous enforcement must be maintained across the State. #TelanganaHighCourt #FoodSafety #GPullaReddy