Hyderabad: Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar on Wednesday issued a stern warning on Hyderabad food adulteration. He stated that anyone threatening public health through adulteration would face strict legal consequences. Addressing the growing concern of Hyderabad food adulteration, he mentioned the severe steps being taken.
Police, food safety teams to launch SOP-guided raids
Sajjanar chaired a preparatory meeting at the TGISCC in Banjara Hills with senior officials from police and food safety departments. He emphasised that food adulteration would not be treated as a petty crime. Instead, it would be regarded as an attempt on human life, especially given the increasing Hyderabad food adulteration cases.
The Commissioner announced the formation of joint field teams comprising police and food safety officers. These teams will inspect not only roadside vendors but also factories suspected of large-scale Hyderabad food adulteration. A detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is being finalised. Its purpose is to ensure legally sound action during inspections, sample collections, seizures, and arrests.
Sajjanar warned that businesses repeatedly caught violating food safety norms would lose their licences permanently. He also said police would invoke the PD Act against organised adulteration networks if needed in cases of severe Hyderabad food adulteration.
To encourage public participation, the city police will soon launch a helpline via WhatsApp or a toll-free number. Sajjanar assured that the identity of informants would remain fully confidential.
The meeting was attended by Additional CP (Crimes) Srinivasulu, Joint CP (Traffic) Joel Davis, DCPs Swetha, Apoorva Rao, Rupesh, and Gaikwad Vaibhav Raghunath. IPM Director Dr. Shivalila, retired DFC Vijay Kumar, AFCs Bal Raju and Anand Rao, Food Inspector Jagga Reddy, and other senior officials also participated.