Hyderabad has emerged as the city with the highest number of food adulteration cases among 19 major Indian cities, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), accounting for 246 cases—84% of the total reported across these cities. This alarming figure underscores serious lapses in food safety and hygiene standards. Recent inspections by food safety officials revealed widespread violations; of 220 eateries inspected over six months, nearly 200 failed to comply with food safety norms. Common issues included the use of expired ingredients, artificial coloring in non-vegetarian dishes, and unhygienic environments such as rat and cockroach infestations. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) struggles with enforcement due to limited manpower, with only 30 food safety officers available to oversee thousands of food establishments. In one incident, nine individuals were hospitalized after consuming momos from a street vendor in Banjara Hills, prompting legal action. Early 2025 inspections highlighted alarming violations: NALSAR University Canteen in Shamirpet had rat droppings, cockroach infestations, no pest control documentation, and 90 kg of unlabelled raw Rajma; its FSSAI license was registered at an unrelated address. At Indian Durbar Restaurant in Narayanguda, expired masala powders and syrups were found, along with rotten vegetables and severe infestations. Hotel Ashoka in Lakdikapul had dirty, foul-smelling kitchens, rusty utensils, and expired food; it also lacked a FoSTaC-trained supervisor and water safety documentation. Grill 9 in Secunderabad had expired spices and sauces, rat burrows, and food handlers without proper gear. Health experts warn that such unhygienic practices can cause food poisoning, gastrointestinal infections, and long-term illnesses from chemical exposure. In response, the Commissioner of Food Safety has mandated immediate corrective measures, threatening penalties, license suspensions, and legal action for non-compliance. Additionally, there is a push to increase the number of food safety officers to strengthen citywide enforcement.