How to check if a restaurant is hygienic before you order food
The Maharashtra FDA has suspended the licences of Mumbai's Shalimar Restaurant, Noor Mohammadi Hotel and Hotel Rahmania after reported hygiene and food safety lapses. The action has renewed attention on the basic checks diners can make before eating or ordering.
Recent action by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has once again put restaurant hygiene in the spotlight. The food safety authority recently suspended the licences of three well-known Mumbai restaurants Shalimar Restaurant, Noor Mohammadi Hotel, and Hotel Rahmania after inspections reportedly found multiple hygiene and food safety lapses.
The incident serves as a reminder that no matter how popular a restaurant is, customers should always pay attention to food safety before placing an order or dining in. While food safety authorities carry out inspections, there are a few simple checks you can do yourself to reduce the risk of eating at an unhygienic establishment.
CHECK IF THE RESTAURANT HAS AN FSSAI LICENSE
Every restaurant in India must have a valid licence or registration from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The licence number is usually displayed near the entrance, billing counter, menu, or on food delivery platforms. If you can't find it, ask the staff before ordering.
LOOK AROUND BEFORE YOU SIT DOWN
The dining area often gives the first clue about a restaurant's hygiene standards. Clean tables, spotless floors, tidy serving counters and well-maintained washrooms usually indicate that cleanliness is taken seriously. On the other hand, overflowing dustbins, greasy tables or dirty toilets are red flags.
OBSERVE HOW THE STAFF HANDLE FOOD
Take a quick look at how the food is being prepared or served. Staff should maintain personal hygiene, use clean utensils and avoid touching food after handling cash or mobile phones without washing their hands. Proper food handling goes a long way in preventing contamination.
DON'T IGNORE BAD SMELLS
A clean restaurant should not have unpleasant odours. Strong smells coming from the kitchen, dining area or washrooms may indicate poor cleaning practices, improper waste disposal or spoiled food.
READ THE LATEST CUSTOMER REVIEWS
If you're ordering online, don't rely only on ratings. Read the most recent reviews to see if multiple customers have complained about stale food, poor hygiene, food poisoning or bad packaging. Recent customer photos can also help you judge the restaurant better.
CHECK THE FOOD PACKAGING
For online orders, inspect the packaging before eating. It should be properly sealed, leak-free and clean. If the package looks tampered with or the food has an unusual smell, colour or texture, it's best not to consume it.
NOTICE HOW FOOD IS STORED
If the kitchen or food display area is visible, see whether ingredients are covered and stored properly. Raw and cooked food should be kept separately to avoid cross-contamination.
WATCH OUT FOR PESTS
Flies, cockroaches or rodents inside a restaurant are major warning signs. Their presence could indicate poor hygiene and inadequate pest control, increasing the risk of food contamination.
CHECK THE CLEANLINESS OF CUTLERY
Before eating, make sure plates, glasses and spoons are clean. Greasy utensils, leftover food particles or stains may suggest poor washing practices.
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
If something doesn't feel right whether it's the cleanliness, smell, staff behavior, or food quality it is always better to leave or order from somewhere else. Your health is more important than one meal.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU FIND A HYGIENE ISSUE?
If you notice serious hygiene violations or fall sick after eating at a restaurant, you can report the matter to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) or your state's food safety department. Keep your food bill, photographs (if possible), and medical records, as these can help authorities investigate the complaint.
The recent suspension of licences of Shalimar Restaurant, Noor Mohammadi Hotel, and Hotel Rahmania in Mumbai is a reminder that food safety should never be taken for granted. Whether you're trying a famous eatery or ordering from a neighbourhood restaurant, spending a few extra minutes checking hygiene standards can help you enjoy your meal safely and avoid unnecessary health risks.
Recent action by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has once again put restaurant hygiene in the spotlight. The food safety authority recently suspended the licences of three well-known Mumbai restaurants Shalimar Restaurant, Noor Mohammadi Hotel, and Hotel Rahmania after inspections reportedly found multiple hygiene and food safety lapses.
The incident serves as a reminder that no matter how popular a restaurant is, customers should always pay attention to food safety before placing an order or dining in. While food safety authorities carry out inspections, there are a few simple checks you can do yourself to reduce the risk of eating at an unhygienic establishment.
CHECK IF THE RESTAURANT HAS AN FSSAI LICENSE
Every restaurant in India must have a valid licence or registration from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The licence number is usually displayed near the entrance, billing counter, menu, or on food delivery platforms. If you can't find it, ask the staff before ordering.
LOOK AROUND BEFORE YOU SIT DOWN
The dining area often gives the first clue about a restaurant's hygiene standards. Clean tables, spotless floors, tidy serving counters and well-maintained washrooms usually indicate that cleanliness is taken seriously. On the other hand, overflowing dustbins, greasy tables or dirty toilets are red flags.
OBSERVE HOW THE STAFF HANDLE FOOD
Take a quick look at how the food is being prepared or served. Staff should maintain personal hygiene, use clean utensils and avoid touching food after handling cash or mobile phones without washing their hands. Proper food handling goes a long way in preventing contamination.
DON'T IGNORE BAD SMELLS
A clean restaurant should not have unpleasant odours. Strong smells coming from the kitchen, dining area or washrooms may indicate poor cleaning practices, improper waste disposal or spoiled food.
READ THE LATEST CUSTOMER REVIEWS
If you're ordering online, don't rely only on ratings. Read the most recent reviews to see if multiple customers have complained about stale food, poor hygiene, food poisoning or bad packaging. Recent customer photos can also help you judge the restaurant better.
CHECK THE FOOD PACKAGING
For online orders, inspect the packaging before eating. It should be properly sealed, leak-free and clean. If the package looks tampered with or the food has an unusual smell, colour or texture, it's best not to consume it.
NOTICE HOW FOOD IS STORED
If the kitchen or food display area is visible, see whether ingredients are covered and stored properly. Raw and cooked food should be kept separately to avoid cross-contamination.
WATCH OUT FOR PESTS
Flies, cockroaches or rodents inside a restaurant are major warning signs. Their presence could indicate poor hygiene and inadequate pest control, increasing the risk of food contamination.
CHECK THE CLEANLINESS OF CUTLERY
Before eating, make sure plates, glasses and spoons are clean. Greasy utensils, leftover food particles or stains may suggest poor washing practices.
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
If something doesn't feel right whether it's the cleanliness, smell, staff behavior, or food quality it is always better to leave or order from somewhere else. Your health is more important than one meal.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU FIND A HYGIENE ISSUE?
If you notice serious hygiene violations or fall sick after eating at a restaurant, you can report the matter to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) or your state's food safety department. Keep your food bill, photographs (if possible), and medical records, as these can help authorities investigate the complaint.
The recent suspension of licences of Shalimar Restaurant, Noor Mohammadi Hotel, and Hotel Rahmania in Mumbai is a reminder that food safety should never be taken for granted. Whether you're trying a famous eatery or ordering from a neighbourhood restaurant, spending a few extra minutes checking hygiene standards can help you enjoy your meal safely and avoid unnecessary health risks.
