H-FAST seizes 121 tonnes of adulterated food, books 185 cases in 100 days
HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST) and Food Safety Officers (FSOs) have seized 121.87 tonnes of adulterated and unsafe food and registered 185 cases during the first 100 days of the specialised enforcement drive against food adulteration.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar said the department would invoke the Preventive Detention (PD) Act against organised food adulteration networks if necessary. He said H-FAST, launched on March 19, has completed 100 days of operations and is working with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Food Safety Department and Veterinary Department to curb food adulteration.
121 tonnes of unsafe food seized during enforcement drive
According to police, the 36-member H-FAST team, functioning under the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Task Force, conducted continuous raids and surprise inspections across the city. The operations resulted in 185 cases and the seizure of 121.87 tonnes of adulterated and unsafe food.
Rajendranagar zone recorded the highest number of cases at 55, followed by Golconda (44), Secunderabad (35), Charminar (21), Shamshabad (13), Jubilee Hills (12) and Khairatabad (five).
Among the major seizures were 27,024.7 kg of adulterated ginger-garlic paste in 27 cases and 25,845 kg of chemically ripened fruits linked to 12 syndicates.
Police also seized 60 tonnes of discarded chicken waste, 15 tonnes of low-quality meat, 9,260 kg of stale pickles, 4,030 kg of adulterated khoya, 3,897 kg of spurious tea powder, 3,260 kg of chemical cream, 2,706 kg of substandard dry fruits, 2,500 kg of adulterated curd, 1,514 kg of synthetic paneer, 530 kg of fake ghee and 120 kg of unsafe fried chicken. Authorities also registered 34 cases involving ice cream manufacturers and commercial water plants.
Police forwarded 247 cases to GHMC Food Safety Officers for regulatory action. These included 90 complaints received directly from citizens and 70 violations detected at paneer manufacturing units.
Enforcement action also covered 11 samosa manufacturing units, nine packaged drinking water units, seven spice manufacturing centres, six bakeries, six fast-food outlets, five distribution centres, four institutional hostels, four meat shops, three ice manufacturing units and three facilities handling chicken waste and unhygienic seafood.
Commissioner warns of strict action against adulteration mafia
Sajjanar said food adulteration was not merely a commercial fraud but a serious threat to public health. He said harmful chemicals and substandard preservatives were contributing to chronic illnesses, including cancer, kidney disease and cardiovascular disorders, while also affecting children’s physical and mental development.
He said H-FAST receives an average of 15 complaints every day from the public regarding suspected food adulteration across the Hyderabad Commissionerate.
Police have also conducted awareness meetings with food business operators, hotel owners and bakers, warning that establishments compromising public health would face strict action, including closure.
Authorities directed all food establishments to maintain valid Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licences, ensure staff use gloves and masks, follow the First In, First Out (FIFO) inventory system and stop reusing cooking oil.
Sajjanar thanked government departments and citizens for supporting the initiative and said the fight against organised food adulteration required coordinated action among enforcement agencies. He added that the police would not hesitate to invoke the Preventive Detention Act against habitual offenders involved in large-scale food adulteration.
