Hyderabad has recently found itself at the center of an unsettling food safety investigation that has cast a spotlight on the critical importance of maintaining stringent hygiene protocols in the food supply chain. On February 12, 2025, Telangana’s food safety task force conducted an inspection of the premises of Instahot Foods Pvt. Ltd., a company described as an exporter and supplier to IndiGo Airlines. The findings were alarming, raising questions about food safety compliance in the B2B food manufacturing and supply sector.
The inspection revealed a range of serious violations, including cockroach infestations in the cooking and grinding areas, spoiled vegetables, and improper storage practices. Expired food items, such as 1.25 kilograms of kasturi methi and half a kilogram of mustard seeds, were found on-site and discarded immediately. The officials also seized 1.5 kilograms of nutmeg due to missing labeling details, including batch numbers, manufacturing dates, and MRPs.
Further compounding these issues were unsanitary storage conditions, such as food items stored on rusted racks and directly on the ground, including beneath a leaking air conditioner. The team flagged water analysis conducted by non-accredited laboratories and the absence of key testing records for packaging materials. Poor waste management, with food waste dumped in plastic bags and overflowing dustbins, as well as clogged drains and patchy, food-littered flooring, added to the damning report.
IndiGo Airlines, a key client of Instahot Foods Pvt. Ltd., was quick to respond to the revelations. In a public statement, the airline said, “We are cognizant of the investigation involving an in-flight food supplier. Upon receiving this information, we immediately discontinued the supply of products being sourced from them. We want to emphasize our unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of food and beverage service on board.”
This incident not only raises alarms for airline food suppliers but also sends shockwaves across the broader B2B food industry, especially in high-stakes sectors like aviation, where hygiene and food safety are paramount to consumer trust and operational success.
The crackdown did not end there. On the same day, the task force inspected Asati Rajkumar Roller Flour Mills Pvt. Ltd., another establishment in the IDA Patancheru industrial area. Violations at this facility were equally concerning, including the failure to display the mandatory FSSAI license prominently and a lack of critical documentation such as pest control records, employee health records, and testing certificates for food and packaging materials.
The task force observed unhygienic conditions in the grain washing section, which emitted a foul smell. Cleaned wheat storage areas were deemed unsanitary, with visible cobwebs and poor hygiene practices among food handlers. Rodent and bird infestations further marred the facility, with faeces of pigeons and sparrows found on the premises.
In a particularly shocking discovery, food items were stored alongside non-food items like cement and tyres, violating fundamental safety protocols. Walls and ceilings were described as “patchy and flaky with cobwebs,” underscoring the neglect in maintaining proper facility standards.
These inspections reveal systemic lapses in food safety compliance across multiple suppliers and expose the risks businesses face when partnering with non-compliant vendors. They also highlight the growing role of food safety authorities in enforcing compliance and the need for businesses to regularly audit their supply chains to avoid reputational and operational risks.
The repercussions of such violations are significant, particularly in industries like aviation, where food quality and safety are critical to the customer experience. The crackdown in Hyderabad serves as a wake-up call for all stakeholders in the food manufacturing and supply ecosystem to prioritize compliance, ensure robust monitoring, and uphold the highest standards of hygiene.
As the Telangana food safety task force continues its statewide inspections, this case underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to address the gaps in the system. Businesses operating in the B2B sector must now take a hard look at their practices to safeguard their reputation and maintain consumer trust in an increasingly scrutinized market.
