Hyderabad food safety squad seizes 246 tonnes of adulterated goods in 140 days
The Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST) has seized over 25,300 kg of spices in recent weeks, underscoring the scale of food adulteration in the city. Since its establishment about 140 days ago, H-FAST, along with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Food Safety Team, has conducted 659 raids, registered 202 First Information Reports (FIRs), and seized nearly 246 tonnes of food products for various violations. Additionally, 232 cases have been referred to GHMC Food Safety officials for further action, according to a press note.
The range of violations uncovered during these inspections is wide. Officials have found the use of decomposed food in preparation, adulterated ginger-garlic paste, cheese analogue products sold as paneer, and outright fake paneer made without any milk. They have also detected adulterated tea powder manufacturing, low-quality coconut powder repackaged into branded packets, prohibited synthetic food colours, and the reuse of cooking oil. Beyond product quality, many food establishments were found preparing items in unhygienic conditions with poor sanitation.
Dairy products have been a particular concern. The teams seized 1.5 tonnes of synthetic paneer, which was reportedly prepared using urea, palm oil, and other harmful chemicals instead of milk. They also seized 2.5 tonnes of adulterated curd and 3.2 tonnes of cream, ghee, and oil. These products pose serious health risks to consumers, including potential organ damage and long-term health issues.
Fruits and other packaged items have also come under scrutiny. Officials inspected 16 centres where fruits were being artificially ripened using hazardous chemicals. This led to the seizure of 25.8 tonnes of such fruits. Additionally, 9.2 tonnes of adulterated pickles and 3.8 tonnes of adulterated tea powder were confiscated. The use of harmful chemicals for artificial ripening, such as calcium carbide, is banned under Indian food safety regulations because of its potential to cause neurological and gastrointestinal disorders.
The recent spice seizure was based on credible information provided by citizens, highlighting the role of public participation in tackling food safety violations. H-FAST has encouraged people to report suspicious activities or products. They can do so by calling 8712661212 or by reaching out on X (formerly Twitter) at @HFastHCP.
The crackdown reflects a growing effort by authorities to enforce the Food Safety and Standards Act and ensure that food sold to the public is safe for consumption. Officials have stated that the seized items are being tested in laboratories and will be disposed of as per legal procedures. The scale of the seizures also points to the need for regular inspections and stricter penalties for offenders. For residents, the message is clear: vigilance is essential, and reporting violations can help protect the health of the entire community.
