A group of customers at Stark Restaurant on Visakhapatnam’s Beach Road were left shocked on Saturday afternoon after discovering a roasted cockroach in the chicken noodles they had ordered. The incident triggered strong reactions from diners and raised fresh concerns over hygiene standards in eateries across the city.
Customers confront restaurant staff
According to witnesses, when the customers called the bearer who had served the dish and questioned him, he allegedly evaded their queries. The restaurant in-charge later claimed that their kitchen “is always clean” and suggested the cockroach may have fallen into the dish while it was being carried from the kitchen to the table.
Other diners in the restaurant, upon noticing the commotion, criticised the establishment for failing to maintain basic cleanliness. Many reportedly left the premises without eating their food.
Food safety authorities alerted, but no immediate response
The customers who found the cockroach contacted the food safety authorities, requesting an urgent inspection and sample collection from the restaurant. However, no official immediately arrived.
Visakhapatnam Food Controller Assistant Chakravarthy later clarified that the designated Food Safety Officer (FSO) was on leave. “We sent another officer. By the time he reached the restaurant, no responsible person had been available. We will send the concerned FSO on Monday,” he said.
Ongoing inspections across Andhra Pradesh
Vijayawada Food Safety Joint Controller N. Poornachandra Rao stated that teams are regularly inspecting hotels and restaurants across Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and other locations, booking cases wherever norms are violated. He reassured the public that stricter monitoring will continue in the wake of repeated hygiene-related complaints.
Public concerns over food safety
The Visakhapatnam incident has reignited discussions about the need for consistent and stringent enforcement of hygiene standards in eateries, especially on busy tourist stretches like Beach Road. Consumers have urged authorities to ensure that violations lead to quick action, not delayed follow-ups.
The food safety department is expected to conduct a detailed inspection on Monday, following which further action may be initiated against the restaurant.