Hyderabad: A tea powder adulteration racket was busted in Hyderabad after H-FAST teams raided multiple locations and arrested 10 persons involved in illegal manufacturing and supply.
The Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team conducted raids at 15 locations across the city. The operation targeted units engaged in preparing and distributing adulterated tea powder.
Investigators found that operators mixed synthetic colours and low-quality materials to increase profits. They also used expired tea powder and supplied the product to roadside vendors as well as reputed outlets.
The accused included Paresh Rajan, Sanju alias Pati, Satish, Naveen, Narsimha, Chunnilal Chaudhary, Narsimulu, Rajesh, Ravinder, and Waseem. Each played roles in sourcing, mixing, or supplying adulterated products.
Tea powder adulteration exposes unsafe manufacturing practices
Investigators identified the use of artificial colours, jaggery solution, and used tea powder. The accused sourced low-grade tea from Kolkata, Kerala, and Assam and then adulterated it.
They admitted that they mixed synthetic food colours such as Sunset Yellow FCF and Tartrazine. They then repackaged the product under different brand names and sold it as genuine tea powder.
Officials said these practices posed serious health risks. For instance, they could cause stomach disorders, allergies, and long-term complications.
Authorities seized around 3,000 kilograms of adulterated tea powder and 1,500 kilograms of expired stock. They also recovered artificial colours and about 100 kilograms of jaggery.
Police registered cases under the Food Safety and Standards Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Meanwhile, investigators continued further inquiry.
Gaikwad Vaibhav Raghunath supervised the operation as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Commissioner’s Task Force. Inspectors N. Ranjith Kumar Goud and M. Anjaiah led the team.
Officials advised the public to purchase tea powder from authorised sellers. They also warned that strict legal action will follow any involvement in adulteration.