Hyderabad Ranks Last Among India's Metro Cities in FSSAI Food Hygiene Ratings

Hyderabad has ranked last among India's major metropolitan cities in food hygiene compliance, according to official FSSAI data. Of the city's 25,000 licensed food establishments, only 361 have obtained hygiene ratings, a compliance rate of under 2%. This is particularly alarming given that Hyderabad hosts approximately 75,000 food establishments in total, meaning the vast majority operate not only without a hygiene certificate but without even a basic FSSAI licence.

The root cause of Hyderabad's dismal numbers is simple. The FSSAI Hygiene Rating Scheme is entirely voluntary, and without a legal mandate forcing restaurants to participate, most just don't bother. GHMC food safety officials admit the response has been negligible. They say they encourage hotel and restaurant owners to get rated during routine inspections, but encouragement clearly isn't working. Intensified training programmes have been launched, though they have done little to shift the needle so far.

The industry body meant to champion food safety standards has not fared much better. The National Restaurant Association of India made a public commitment in 2024 to promote hygiene ratings and run awareness campaigns across the city, but that effort quietly fizzled out with no meaningful outcome. NRAI member T. Sampat has now pushed for a more structured approach, recommending area-wise monitoring committees made up of food safety officials, NRAI representatives and public members who would physically visit unrated eateries and flag non-compliant ones. That recommendation is currently sitting with the GHMC commissioner, waiting for a response.