H-FAST seizes 25.3 tonnes of adulterated spices in Hyderabad, three arrested
HYDERABAD: Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST) and food safety officials seized 25.3 tonnes of allegedly adulterated spices during inspections at 13 establishments and other business locations across the Hyderabad Commissionerate, police said on August 4.
Police registered three criminal cases and arrested three people in connection with the alleged adulteration. Two cases were registered at Mailardevpally police station and one at Balapur police station.
Those arrested were Rahul Bhati of Katedan and Vishal Panwar and Dulichand Kachhawar, both residents of Begum Bazar.
Industrial dyes and talcum powder found in spices
The Commissioner’s Task Force’s H-FAST conducted the drive jointly with food safety officials of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) following information received from the public.
The teams inspected 13 establishments and independent business locations involved in procuring, processing and selling spices at wholesale or retail level.
According to police, the inspections found suspected violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, improper labelling and deceptive processing practices.
Officials said synthetic colours and other substances, including Bush Synthetic Orange Red and Green Food Colours, cloth dyes, industrial-grade permanent colours, shining powder or talcum powder, and rice bran oil were allegedly being used in spices.
At one manufacturing unit, police said low-quality and rejected mustard stock was allegedly mixed with fabric dye, talcum powder and oil. The process was intended to increase gloss, weight and volume, according to the press note.
At other units, cloves and shahjeera were allegedly coated with synthetic colours to give them a brighter appearance. Police also found suspected use of permanent industrial dyes in shahjeera, ajwain and other spices.
The seized adulterated stock comprised 7,920 kg of ajwain, 6,700 kg of jeera, 550 kg of cloves, 2,280 kg of shahjeera, 540 kg of saunf, 4,960 kg of mustard and 2,350 kg of jeera dust. The total adulterated spice stock was 25,300 kg.
Officials also listed raw materials and other substances found during the operation. These included 100 kg of jeera, 500 kg of shahjeera, 65 kg of mustard, 13,460 kg of fenugreek seeds and 10,000 kg of white sesame seeds.
About 90 kg of shining powder, 12 litres of rice bran oil and 1.5 kg of synthetic and fabric dye were also listed. Three rolling machines were found during the inspections.
The press note’s seizure table gives the total raw material as 89,150 kg. However, this figure does not reconcile with the individual quantities listed in the same table. The figure has therefore not been independently presented as a verified aggregate.
H-FAST and food safety officials collected suspicious spice samples and chemical additives from the inspected premises for laboratory analysis. Police said regulatory and legal proceedings were being initiated against the business owners concerned under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and other relevant provisions.
Police warn of health risks from adulterants
Police said industrial dyes, synthetic colours and non-edible substances such as talcum powder in food could pose health risks.
The press note listed possible effects including liver and kidney damage, gastrointestinal disorders such as stomach pain and ulcers, allergic reactions and skin disorders. It also cited possible long-term effects on the nervous system and immunity and an increased cancer risk from carcinogenic chemicals.
Authorities said enforcement drives against food adulteration would continue across Hyderabad.
H-FAST, which was set up earlier this year, has conducted 659 raids and registered 202 FIRs in its first 140 days, according to police. The unit has seized nearly 246 tonnes of allegedly adulterated or contaminated food during this period.
Another 232 cases were handed over to GHMC food safety officials for further action. The teams also inspected 46 paneer outlets and 83 ghee outlets and acted on complaints received from the public.
H-FAST cites seizures across several food categories
Police said earlier inspections found the alleged use of titanium oxide, a chemical also used in paints, and acetic acid in ginger-garlic paste to make it appear white and thick.
According to the press note, unpeeled and rotten ginger and garlic were used to prepare paste at 32 centres. Raids resulted in the seizure of more than 27 tonnes — 27,024 kg — of allegedly adulterated ginger-garlic paste.
Officials also seized more than 12 tonnes of rotten chicken and mutton and 60 tonnes of foul-smelling chicken waste allegedly stored in unhygienic conditions for supply to hotels.
Inspections found food being prepared in unhygienic surroundings, including areas close to dirty toilets and premises infested with flies and cockroaches, police said.
Raids at 16 centres allegedly involved in artificially ripening fruits with hazardous chemicals resulted in the seizure of 25.8 tonnes of fruits. Officials also seized 9.2 tonnes of allegedly adulterated pickles and 3.8 tonnes of adulterated tea powder.
H-FAST also detected what police described as synthetic paneer manufactured without milk using urea, detergents, palm oil and chemicals. Officials seized 1.5 tonnes of such paneer, 2.5 tonnes of allegedly adulterated curd and 3.2 tonnes of cream, ghee and oil.
Action was also taken against sub-standard reverse osmosis water plants involving 23.7 tonnes of material and against units manufacturing ice creams, samosas and biscuits, the press note said.
Police advised consumers to buy spices and other food products from licensed and reputed vendors and check packaging, labelling and valid Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence details.
Consumers should avoid unusually bright-coloured spices and exercise caution while buying loose or unbranded food products from unknown roadside vendors at unusually low prices, the advisory said.
Police also advised people to avoid food prepared in places that do not meet basic quality and hygiene standards and to reduce consumption of such outside food.
Citizens who notice suspected food adulteration or food being prepared in unhygienic conditions can alert authorities through Dial 100 or the H-FAST helpline at 8712661212. Police said the identity of informants would be kept confidential.
The drive was conducted by the H-FAST team under Task Force DCP Gaikwad Vaibhav Raghunath, along with inspectors Ranjith and Anjaiah, sub-inspectors Shanker, Krishna and Akhil, and other personnel.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar said strict action would continue against those involved in food adulteration and urged residents to cooperate with authorities in reporting unsafe food practices.
