H-FAST’s big food clean-up

660 raids, registered 204 FIRs, and seized nearly 282 tonne of adulterated and contaminated food since March

Metro India News | Hyderabad

Cracking down on food adulteration in a big way, the H-FAST of City Police has seized over 280 tonne of adulterated food items since March this year and warned of invoking stringent sections of law. After seizing 25 tonne of various spices, found to be containing certain dangerous chemicals and hazardous substances on August 4, the Hyderabad police for the first time slapped attempt to commit culpable homicide under BNS Act, an official of H-FAST told PTI on Wednesday.

Police also initiated strict regulatory and legal proceedings against the violating business owners under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST) was established in March this year under the leadership of Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar, in close coordination with Food Safety Officers to strengthen food safety enforcement and regulatory action. H-FAST along with officials of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has been conducting extensive field inspections across the city. It conducted over 660 raids, registered 204 FIRs, and seized nearly 282 tonne of adulterated and contaminated food since March, officials said.

A total of 36 tonne of adulterated ghee, raw processing materials, and chemical additives was seized in the special enforcement drive and simultaneous inspections at a total of 130 establishments, comprising 39 ghee manufacturing units and 91 ghee-selling outlets recently.

Additionally, 232 cases were handed over to GHMC Food Safety officials for further action, while inspections were carried out at several paneer and ghee outlets among other units, alongside various complaints received from the public, they said.

Officials earlier said the findings from these inspections revealed alarming practices, including the addition of 'Titanium Oxide', a chemical used in paints, and dangerous 'Acetic Acid' to ginger-garlic paste to make it appear white and thick. This paste was being prepared using unpeeled and rotten ginger and garlic across 32 centers, leading to raids where over 27 tonne (27,024 kg) of adulterated paste was seized. Furthermore, officials confiscated over 12 tonne of rotten chicken and mutton, along with 120 tonne of chicken waste and animal by-products.

The overall hygienic conditions were equally shocking, with food being prepared in unsanitary environments right next to dirty toilets amidst flies and cockroaches, they had said. In addition, during raids on 16 centers, artificially ripening fruits with hazardous chemicals were found. A total of 25.8 tonne of fruits, 9.2 tonne of adulterated pickles, and 3.8 tonne of adulterated tea powder were seized.

The teams also uncovered synthetic paneer made without a single drop of milk—using urea, detergents, palm oil, and harmful chemicals. A total of 8,044 kg of adulterated dairy products (paneer, kowa, milk, curd) were seized. Action was also taken against sub-standard RO water plants involving 23.7 tonne, as well as manufacturing units producing ice creams, samosas, and biscuits. Officials in an advisory said public participation is crucial in the fight against food adulteration. Following the seizure of spurious ghee by H-FAST on Tuesday, the Hyderabad City Police urged citizens to remain vigilant to safeguard public health.

Malkajgiri police seize 10.89 tonnes of adulterated spice products worth Rs 25 lakh

The Malkajgiri Special Operations Team (SOT), along with Food Adulteration Surveillance teams, conducted a surprise raid on Sai Tirumala Enterprises at Srinivas Nagar Colony under the Medipally police station limits on Thursday and seized 10.89 tonnes of adulterated spice products  worth around Rs. 25 lakh.

During the raid, police seized a large quantity of the suspected adulterated spice products, including 2,300 kg of turmeric powder, 3,350 kg of chilli powder, 5,140 kg of coriander powder and 100 kg of garam masala.

Police also detained two persons, identified as Satyanarayana and Rudrashekar, in connection with the case.

Speaking on the occasion,  Malkajgiri Police Commissioner B. Sumathi warned that stringent action would be taken against those adulterating food products and making illegal profits at the cost of public health.

The Police Commissioner made it clear that any attempt to adulterate food products and endanger public health would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

She warned that police would maintain continuous surveillance over the manufacture, storage and supply of adulterated food products and take stern action against those involved in such activities.

Malkajgiri Police Commissioner Sumathi appealed to the public to alert the police if they notice the manufacture, storage, packaging or illegal sale of adulterated food products in their neighbourhoods. She urged citizens to report any suspicious activity related to food adulteration to 8712662111.