Hyderabad: Hyderabad Police’s H-FAST, in coordination with the GHMC Food Safety Team, seized more than 25 tonnes of Adulterated spices during raids on 13 spice processing and trading establishments across the city.
The joint teams found operators mixing industrial synthetic colours, fabric dyes, talcum powder, oil and other hazardous substances with mustard seeds, cloves, shahjeera, ajwain, jeera and other spices. The offenders used these materials to improve the products’ appearance, increase their weight and boost their market value.
Adulterated spices meant for supply across two States
Officials said traders planned to distribute the Adulterated spices across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The operation formed part of H-FAST’s drive to stop unsafe food products from reaching consumers.
Officials warned that hazardous food adulteration posed a serious threat to public health. Meanwhile, H-FAST reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy and said it would continue strict enforcement against food adulteration to protect consumers.