Centipede in biryani: Restaurant pays Rs 1L compensation in food safety case

CHENNAI, June 10, 2026 — A restaurant has been ordered to pay Rs 1.05 lakh in compensation after a customer found a dead centipede in a bucket of mutton biryani, a consumer tribunal ruled, in a case that highlights food safety and hygiene standards in dining outlets.

The Chennai (North) District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission held the restaurant, SS Hyderabad Biryani, liable for “deficiency in food service” and “unfair trade practice” after the contaminated dish was served, a commission official said. The ruling requires compensation and litigation costs to be paid to the complainant within a stipulated period. 

Consumer rights and food hygiene at issue

The complaint stemmed from an incident on December 30, 2025, when the customer and family were eating biryani bought from the Perambur outlet of the restaurant during a family gathering. According to the consumer panel’s order, one of the diners noticed a centipede in the rice, prompting the complainant to inspect the food and make the discovery.

“Supplying contaminated food amounted to serving unsafe and unhygienic food unfit for human consumption,” the bench said in its order, noting that diners expect basic hygiene and food safety standards from reputable restaurants. 

Bench’s findings and consumer impact

The commission, led by President D. Gopinath with members Kavitha Kannan and T.R. Sivakumhar, said the incident caused shock, panic, embarrassment and emotional distress among the family members who were eating, including elderly relatives. The bench rejected the restaurant’s denial of liability, saying mere contradiction without supporting evidence did not outweigh the consumer’s documentary proof. 

Under the Consumer Protection Act, the panel directed the eatery to pay about Rs 1.05 lakh, which includes compensation for the ordeal and the complainant’s legal costs. The commission’s order emphasised that restaurants must maintain hygiene protocols, particularly in the preparation and handling of food served to customers. 

Why this matters

Consumer rights advocates say the case underscores the legal obligations food establishments face under Indian consumer law, especially relating to food safety and quality. The ruling may encourage diners to seek redress when faced with lapses in hygiene and may prompt restaurants to review internal food preparation standards.

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