# Eateries cut corners as high costs and hygiene crackdowns take toll > Restaurants slash portions, raise prices amid food inflation and stricter hygiene rules. - Title: Eateries cut corners as high costs and hygiene crackdowns… - Summary: Restaurants slash portions, raise prices amid food inflation and stricter hygiene rules. Restaurants in India are reducing meal sizes, increasing prices by… - Keywords: food inflation, restaurant price increase, hygiene compliance, food safety regulations, mumbai restaurants, food and beverage industry, Eateries, cut, corners, high, costs, hygiene - Source: The Economic Times — https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/hotels-/-restaurants/eateries-cut-corners-as-high-costs-and-hygiene-crackdowns-take-a-toll/articleshow/135034262.cms - Author: Ratna Bhushan - Published: 2026-10-18T18:47:00+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: food inflation, restaurant price increase, hygiene compliance, food safety regulations, mumbai restaurants, food and beverage industry ## Restaurants cut high-cost menu items Restaurants pause high-priced options to manage rising food costs. > We have paused serving some higher-priced options in our biryani range, which involve high-cost ingredients ## Hygiene compliance costs rise New food safety rules increase costs for hiring staff, testing, and quality ingredients. > There are a lot of compliances by regulators now that impact everyone-from small operators to large chains ## Price hikes start in October Restaurants plan 4-5% price increases starting October to share inflation costs. > We have paused serving some higher-priced options in our biryani range, which involve high-cost ingredients ## Hygiene crackdowns add costs Maharashtra FDA and FSSAI inspections raise costs for food safety and sanitation. > For example, we are replacing oil used for deep frying quicker than even the permissible standards ## Food inflation hits 7.74% India's retail food inflation rose to 7.74% in September due to rising vegetable and staple prices. > India's retail food inflation shot up to 7.74% in September ## Restaurants raise prices by 10-15% Mumbai restaurants plan 10-15% price hikes to cover rising food and operational costs. > Restaurants in Mumbai are gearing to increase prices by 10-15% ## Key takeaway Restaurants in India are reducing meal sizes, increasing prices by 4-15% to offset rising food costs and new hygiene regulations.