Hyderabad H-FAST Team Books 185 Cases, Seizes 121 Tonnes of Adulterated Food in 100 Days
Hyderabad Police's dedicated food safety enforcement unit has registered 185 cases and seized more than 121 tonnes of adulterated and substandard food products during a 100-day crackdown aimed at protecting public health. The large-scale enforcement drive targeted food manufacturers, suppliers, warehouses and commercial establishments involved in the production and sale of unsafe food across the city.
According to officials, the Hyderabad Food Adulteration Safety Team (H-FAST), formed to curb the manufacture and distribution of adulterated food, has been conducting intensive inspections since March 19. Working alongside Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Food Safety officials, the special team carried out inspections at hotels, restaurants, bakeries, food production units, warehouses, ice cream factories, hostel kitchens and packaged drinking water plants.
The enforcement campaign resulted in 185 criminal cases and the seizure of more than 121 tonnes of food products found to be adulterated, unhygienic or unfit for consumption.
Large quantities of unsafe food seized
Authorities said the seized materials included a wide range of food items that posed potential health risks to consumers.
Among the confiscated products were 27,000 kilograms of substandard ginger-garlic paste, 25,000 kilograms of fruits allegedly ripened using chemicals, more than 60 tonnes of chicken waste, 15 tonnes of poor-quality meat and 9,260 kilograms of stored pickles.
Officials also seized adulterated khoya, tea powder, paneer, cream, ghee and curd. During inspections, authorities found that hazardous chemicals were allegedly being used in the preparation of paneer, raising serious concerns over food safety standards.
The seizures highlight the scale of food adulteration and unhygienic food handling practices that enforcement agencies say continue to threaten consumer safety in the city.
Raids conducted across Hyderabad
The H-FAST team, comprising 36 personnel and functioning under the supervision of the Task Force Deputy Commissioner of Police, carried out coordinated inspections across multiple zones of Hyderabad.
Officials said Rajendranagar recorded the highest number of cases with 55, followed by Golconda with 44, Secunderabad with 35, Charminar with 21, Shamshabad with 13, Jubilee Hills with 12 and Khairatabad with five cases.
In addition to the criminal cases registered, another 247 cases were transferred to the Food Safety Department for further legal and regulatory action.
Police warn of stringent action
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar warned that those endangering public health through food adulteration would face strict legal consequences. He said authorities would invoke the Preventive Detention (PD) Act against offenders wherever necessary.
The Commissioner noted that consumption of adulterated food could have serious health consequences, including affecting children's growth and increasing the risk of diseases such as cancer and kidney and heart-related illnesses.
Food businesses reminded of compliance norms
Officials reiterated that all hotels, restaurants and food business operators must possess valid Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licences and comply with prescribed food safety regulations.
Business establishments have also been instructed to ensure that employees wear masks and gloves while handling food, avoid reusing cooking oil and strictly follow the "First In, First Out" (FIFO) inventory system to maintain food quality.
Authorities warned that establishments violating food safety norms could face immediate closure, seizure of their premises and other stringent legal action.
Police also acknowledged that several recent cases were detected based on information provided by members of the public. Citizens have been urged to promptly report any suspected manufacture or sale of adulterated food so that enforcement agencies can take timely action.
The latest enforcement drive reflects Hyderabad Police's continuing efforts to strengthen food safety monitoring and curb the distribution of adulterated food products that pose a threat to public health.