Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST) registered 185 cases and seized nearly 121.87 tonnes of adulterated and unsafe food during its first 100 days. Hyderabad City Police launched the specialised unit on March 19 to curb food adulteration across the city.
H-FAST carried out raids and surprise inspections with support from the GHMC, Food Safety Department and Veterinary Department. Police said the campaign targeted organised networks involved in selling unsafe food.
Police described food adulteration as a serious public health threat. They said contaminated food can contribute to cancer, kidney disease and cardiovascular illnesses. Officials also warned that unsafe food increases healthcare costs and reduces productivity.
The 36-member team, led by the DCP, Task Force, recorded the highest number of cases in the Rajendranagar Zone with 55. Golconda reported 44 cases. Secunderabad recorded 35. Charminar registered 21 cases. Shamshabad had 13, while Jubilee Hills recorded 12. Khairatabad reported five cases.
During the operations, H-FAST seized 27,024.7 kg of adulterated ginger-garlic paste in 27 cases. It also confiscated 25,845 kg of chemically ripened fruits in 16 cases. The team recovered more than 60 tonnes of discarded chicken waste and substandard meat in six cases.
Officials also seized 9,260 kg of stale or adulterated pickles. They recovered 4,030 kg of adulterated khoya and 3,897 kg of spurious tea powder. The team confiscated around 15 tonnes of substandard chicken and meat. It also seized 3,260 kg of adulterated cream and 530 kg of adulterated ghee. Other recoveries included 2,706 kg of substandard dry fruits and dates, 2,500 kg of adulterated curd, 1,514 kg of synthetic paneer and 120 kg of unhygienic fried chicken. Another 34 cases involved ice cream, biscuits, packaged drinking water and junk food.
H-FAST food adulteration drive records major seizures
H-FAST referred 247 cases to GHMC Food Safety Officers for legal and regulatory action. Those cases involved paneer units, food outlets, bakeries, hostels, meat shops, water packaging plants, spice manufacturers, seafood units and online grocery operations. Public complaints led to 90 of those cases.
Hyderabad City Police also held a meeting with food business operators, including hotel, restaurant, bakery and food manufacturing unit owners. Officials directed them to maintain valid FSSAI licences, follow hygiene standards, use gloves and masks, implement the First In, First Out inventory system and avoid reusing cooking oil.
Hyderabad Commissioner of Police V. C. Sajjanar praised the H-FAST team for its results. He also thanked the departments that supported the campaign. Meanwhile, the Commissioner’s office now receives around 15 public tip-offs every day. The Commissioner warned that police would treat food adulteration as a grave offence. According to Sajjanar, the department will invoke the Preventive Detention Act against habitual offenders. He urged citizens to report suspected food adulteration through Dial 100 or the H-FAST helpline. Police assured informants that they would keep their identities confidential.