One arrested for selling adulterated ginger-garlic paste

Hyderabad police arrested Hasan Ali Rupani, 55, owner of SKR Food Products, for manufacturing and selling adulterated ginger and garlic paste. The raid, conducted by the Commissioner’s Task Force, Khairtabad Zone, along with the H-Fast team, took place at SKR Food Products, Plot No. 25, Survey No. 42 & 43, SEIE, IDA, Kattedan, under Mailardevpally police limits.

Authorities seized 4,032 kg of packaged ginger-garlic paste, 6,210 kg of loose ginger and garlic, 250 kg of salt, 20 kg xanthan gum powder, 20 liters of acetic acid, and five grinding machines, with a total estimated value of Rs. 22 lakh.

During the inspection, officials found the facility operating under unhygienic conditions. Inferior quality raw materials and garlic peels were used, and chemicals such as acetic acid and xanthan gum were added to the paste. Packaging materials and food-grade certification were missing, and grinding was carried out using wooden sticks. The products were stored in open tubs, exposing them to dust, flies, and other contaminants.

Police said the adulterated products were being supplied to restaurants, wholesale stores, and catering services across Hyderabad, posing a serious public health risk. The arrested individual and seized materials were handed over to the SHO of Mailardevpally police station for further legal action. The operation was supervised by Deputy Commissioner of Police Vaibhav Gaikwad Raghunath and officers of the Khairtabad Zone Task Force.