Flies on the chicken and 70 degree milk: Forsyth County Indian restaurant closes after 49 health inspection score

A Forsyth County Indian restaurant failed its health inspection last week, scoring a 49 out of 100, and agreed to shut down voluntarily until inspectors clear it to reopen.

What happened: A Georgia Department of Public Health inspector visited Hashtag India, at 4090 Johns Creek Parkway, on Sept. 24 and found more than a dozen violations. The restaurant’s score dropped from an 85 in March to a 49, which earns a U grade — the lowest possible. Anything below 70 is a failing score.

What the inspector found: The violations covered food temperatures, pest control, sanitation, and basic food handling. Among the problems:

• Live flies were found on raw chicken. The chicken was thrown out.
• Milk stored on a mobile cart in the kitchen measured between 70 and 71 degrees. Cold food must stay at 41 degrees or below.
• Chicken that had been cooling since 11:30 a.m. was still at 75 degrees by 3:54 p.m. Another batch started at 1 p.m. measured 117 degrees at the same time. Both were thrown out.
• Rice and other hot foods on the counter measured as low as 79 degrees. Hot food must stay at 135 degrees or above.
• The three-compartment sink used to wash dishes had a basin that could not hold water, meaning the kitchen had no way to properly sanitize dishes. The restaurant agreed to close until the sink is repaired.
• A prep sink had dark green-black mold-like growth inside it. A hand sink in the same area also had the same growth.
• A hand sink near the rear door was blocked by rubber gloves, a scraper, and partially consumed employee drinks. A separate hand sink was being used as a dump sink. Both were cleared during the inspection.
• Paneer, an Indian cheese, was thawing in 72-degree standing water. It was thrown out.
• Numerous flies were found throughout the kitchen and front food service area.
• Gaps in the back door allowed light from outside to come through, creating an opening for pests.
• Food in the walk-in cooler had prep dates of Sept. 20, 21, and 23 with no discard dates marked. That food was thrown out.
• Employees had not been told they were required to report illness symptoms. Managers had employees sign acknowledgment forms during the inspection.
• No manager was present at the start of the inspection. One arrived partway through the inspection.

What’s new: The restaurant’s previous score in March was an 85, a B grade. Its score before that, in March 2025, was a 100.

What this means for you: The restaurant agreed to stay closed until the walk-in cooler and dish sink are repaired and a food safety trainer works with employees in person.

The path forward: A follow-up inspection is scheduled for Oct. 8.