Food Safety Drive In Hyderabad Leads To 185 Cases And 122 Tonnes Seized

In one of the largest crackdowns on food safety violations in recent years, the Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST) has registered 185 cases and seized nearly 122 tonnes of unsafe and adulterated food within the first 100 days of its operations. The special enforcement unit was launched on March 19 under the Hyderabad City Police to curb rising concerns over food adulteration in the city.

The operation was carried out in coordination with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Food Safety Department, and Veterinary authorities. Officials conducted multiple raids across the city, targeting suspected units involved in the production, storage, and distribution of contaminated or substandard food products. Authorities said the drive covered several key commercial and residential zones.

Region-wise, Rajendranagar recorded the highest number of cases at 55, followed by Golconda with 44, Secunderabad with 35, Charminar with 21, Shamshabad with 13, Jubilee Hills with 12, and Khairatabad with five cases. Officials said enforcement efforts will continue as part of an intensified monitoring drive across Hyderabad’s food supply chain.

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The raids led to the seizure of large quantities of adulterated and unsafe food items, including 27 tonnes of ginger-garlic paste, over 25 tonnes of chemically ripened fruits, more than 30 tonnes of discarded chicken waste, and 15 tonnes of substandard meat and chicken. Authorities also confiscated several other items, including stale pickles, adulterated khoya, fake tea powder, synthetic dairy products, and unhygienic fast-food preparations.

Police officials stated that 247 cases have been handed over to GHMC Food Safety Officers for further legal action. These include violations linked to paneer manufacturing units, water bottling plants, bakeries, meat shops, hostels, fast-food centres, and quick-commerce supply chains. Around 90 of these cases were registered based on public complaints received by authorities.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar described food adulteration as a serious public health threat, stating that it is being treated as a grave offence. He warned that strict legal measures, including provisions under the Preventive Detention Act, could be invoked against repeat offenders. Authorities also urged citizens to report suspected violations through Dial 100 or the H-FAST helpline, assuring confidentiality for informants.

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