Published Nov 12, 2026 | 9:07 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 12, 2026 | 9:07 PM
TG SAFE directed all nine establishments to stop business operations immediately.
.Synopsis: TG SAFE has suspended the FSSAI licences of nine KFC and Domino’s Pizza outlets in Hyderabad after inspections found cockroach infestations, rat droppings, expired food products, foul-smelling kitchens and other food safety violations. A special enforcement drive on 12 November covered 26 outlets and led to the seizure of approximately 52 kg of synthetic magnesium silicate, which was being used to filter used cooking oil for reuse.
The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) has suspended the FSSAI licences of nine KFC and Domino’s Pizza outlets in Hyderabad after inspections found cockroach infestations, rat droppings, expired food products, foul-smelling kitchens and other serious food safety violations.
The action followed a special enforcement drive on Thursday, 12 November, during which 13 teams comprising Food Safety Officers and police personnel inspected 26 outlets of the two fast-food chains across the city’s CURE region.
The inspections also found the unauthorised use of synthetic magnesium silicate to filter used cooking oil for reuse. Officials seized approximately 52 kg of the chemical and collected 20 food samples on suspicion of adulteration.
Other violations included food handlers working without hairnets and aprons, housefly infestations, rat faeces, foul smells in kitchens and storage areas, and expired food articles.
TG SAFE directed all nine establishments to stop business operations immediately in the interest of public health. It will also share details of the suspended outlets with online food delivery platforms, including Swiggy and Zomato, to ensure they are delisted until their FSSAI licences are restored.
At the KFC outlet in Madinaguda-Miyapur, officials found water leakage, a foul smell in the kitchen and the unauthorised use of magnesium silicate to filter used cooking oil.
The Domino’s outlet at Sarath City Mall in Kondapur had cockroach infestation and expired products. Its packing material did not have a food-grade certificate.
At KFC’s Sindhi Colony outlet in Secunderabad, officials detected housefly infestation and the unauthorised use of magnesium silicate. The KFC outlet at Punch Mohalla near Charminar had a foul smell in its chiller room and was also using the chemical to filter used oil.
The KFC outlet in Moosarambagh had a rusty chiller room, water dripping in the cold room, fungal growth on the walls, greasy utensils and cockroach infestation.
At the Banjara Hills outlet, officials found waterlogging in chillers and the unauthorised use of magnesium silicate. At the KFC outlet at Shilpa Kala Vedika in Hitec City, equipment and utensils used for food preparation were unclean.
The Domino’s outlet at Inorbit Mall in Madhapur had food handlers working without hairnets and aprons, rat faeces, live cockroach infestation and an untidy storeroom. The KFC outlet at the same mall also had food handlers without protective clothing and was using magnesium silicate to filter used cooking oil.
Apart from the suspensions, TG SAFE will issue improvement notices to eight outlets — four Domino’s branches at Nizampet, Miyapur, Himayatnagar and Malakpet, and four KFC branches at Kondapur, Karkhana, Himayatnagar and Shaikpet.
Officials will reinspect these establishments to verify compliance with food safety norms before deciding on further action.
The authority will also issue show-cause notices to five outlets for serious violations. These include three Domino’s branches at Karkhana, Gachibowli and Hitec City, and two KFC branches at Nizampet and Gachibowli. TG SAFE will initiate further proceedings to impose penalties against these establishments.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
