In a disturbing and shocking incident that has sent ripples through Hyderabad’s food safety community, a customer dining at the Mehfil Family Restaurant in Ibrahimpatnam was horrified to discover a fried lizard inside his chicken biryani. The incident, which unfolded on May 15, 2025, has raised serious concerns about hygiene and food safety standards in local eateries and triggered swift action from law enforcement and health authorities.
The Incident: A Startling Discovery
Gujja Krishna Reddy, a resident of Sheriguda village in Ibrahimpatnam, visited the Mehfil Family Restaurant located on Sagar Road with two companions. They ordered chicken biryani, a popular and much-loved dish in Hyderabad. However, their dining experience took a horrifying turn when Reddy found a cooked lizard mixed within the biryani served to them.
The discovery left Reddy and his friends shocked and disgusted. They immediately brought the matter to the attention of the restaurant staff, expecting a prompt apology and corrective action. Instead, the response they received was both surprising and insensitive. The waiter feigned ignorance initially, and when the issue was escalated to the restaurant manager, Razack, the reply was even more shocking. The manager reportedly told the customers that the lizard was “nicely fried” and suggested they could eat it.
This dismissive and callous attitude infuriated Reddy and his companions, compelling them to take the matter beyond the restaurant.
Complaint and Police Action
Following the incident, Reddy and his friends filed a formal complaint at the Ibrahimpatnam police station. Sub-Inspector V Chander Singh confirmed that the complaint was duly registered and that the restaurant manager was summoned for questioning. The police have indicated that a case will be booked against the Mehfil hotel management for serving contaminated food, which poses a significant health risk to consumers.
In addition to the police complaint, Reddy also lodged a separate grievance with the Ibrahimpatnam municipal authorities and food safety officials, urging them to investigate the restaurant’s hygiene practices and ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
Public Outrage and Food Safety Concerns
The incident has sparked widespread outrage among local residents and food lovers in Hyderabad. The presence of a lizard in a cooked dish not only violates basic hygiene standards but also raises questions about the overall cleanliness and food handling practices at the Mehfil Family Restaurant.
Residents have expressed fears about the potential health hazards posed by such lapses, including the risk of foodborne illnesses and infections. The insensitive response from the restaurant management further aggravated public sentiment, highlighting a lack of accountability and concern for customer well-being.
Health and Food Safety Authorities Step In
Following the complaint and media coverage, health and food safety officials are expected to conduct a thorough inspection of the Mehfil Family Restaurant. The inspection will focus on hygiene standards, food preparation processes, pest control measures, and compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines.
Authorities have warned that strict action will be taken if any violations are found, including possible closure of the establishment, fines, or cancellation of licenses.
Past Incidents Highlight Ongoing Issues
This is not an isolated case in Hyderabad. There have been multiple reports in recent years of lizards being found in food served at various restaurants across the city. For example:
- In December 2024, a resident from Amberpet found a lizard in chicken biryani ordered through a food delivery app, prompting an investigation by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).
- In December 2023, at least eight people fell ill after eating biryani in which a lizard’s tail was allegedly found, raising serious concerns about unhygienic conditions in local eateries.
These recurring incidents underscore systemic issues in food safety enforcement and the urgent need for more rigorous monitoring and regulation of food establishments.
The Importance of Food Safety and Hygiene
Food safety is a critical public health issue, especially in a city like Hyderabad where biryani and other delicacies are widely consumed daily by millions. Ensuring that food served to customers is prepared in clean, hygienic conditions is fundamental to preventing foodborne diseases and maintaining public trust.
The presence of a foreign object such as a lizard in a cooked dish reflects a failure at multiple levels – from kitchen hygiene and pest control to staff training and management oversight.
Restaurant Industry’s Responsibility
Restaurants have a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of cleanliness and food safety. This includes:
- Maintaining pest-free kitchens through regular fumigation and cleanliness drives.
- Training staff on hygiene practices and food handling protocols.
- Conducting regular self-inspections to identify and rectify potential risks.
- Responding promptly and professionally to customer complaints.
The Mehfil Family Restaurant incident serves as a stark reminder that neglecting these responsibilities can lead to serious consequences, including legal action, loss of reputation, and erosion of customer confidence.
What Happens Next?
The police investigation into the Mehfil Family Restaurant is ongoing. The manager has been questioned, and further legal proceedings are expected based on the findings. The municipal food safety officials will likely carry out inspections and may impose penalties or sanctions depending on the outcome.
Meanwhile, the incident has prompted calls from the public and consumer rights groups for more frequent and stringent inspections of restaurants, especially those serving popular dishes like biryani, to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Conclusion
The discovery of a fried lizard in chicken biryani at the Mehfil Family Restaurant in Ibrahimpatnam is a shocking lapse in food safety and hygiene. It highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of food safety regulations and greater accountability within the restaurant industry.
Customers trust restaurants to provide safe, clean, and quality food. When that trust is broken, it not only endangers public health but also damages the reputation of the entire food service sector.
As authorities continue their investigation, this incident should serve as a wake-up call for restaurants across Hyderabad and beyond to prioritize hygiene and customer safety above all else. Only through collective vigilance, responsible management, and robust regulatory oversight can such disturbing incidents be prevented in the future.
