Hyderabad: Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST) registered 185 cases and seized nearly 122 tonnes of unsafe food during its first 100 days. The H-FAST food adulteration drive intensified enforcement against food fraud across the city.
The Hyderabad City Police launched H-FAST on March 19 with support from the GHMC, Food Safety and Veterinary departments. Since then, the teams have conducted regular inspections and raids across Hyderabad.
Officials seized more than 60 tonnes of chicken waste and substandard meat. They also confiscated 27 tonnes of adulterated ginger-garlic paste and 25.8 tonnes of chemically ripened fruits. In addition, they found stale pickles, synthetic paneer, adulterated khoya, spurious tea powder, cream, ghee, curd and dry fruits.
Rajendranagar recorded the highest number of cases with 55. Golconda followed with 44, while Secunderabad reported 35. Charminar registered 21 cases. Shamshabad recorded 13, Jubilee Hills 12, and Khairatabad five.
H-FAST food adulteration drive receives public support
Meanwhile, police referred 247 cases to GHMC Food Safety Officers. The cases involve paneer manufacturing units, restaurants, bakeries, hostels, water plants, meat shops and other food businesses for further regulatory action.
Hyderabad Commissioner of Police V. C. Sajjanar said food adulteration is a serious crime. Therefore, habitual offenders could face action under the Preventive Detention (PD) Act. He urged citizens to report suspected violations through Dial 100 or the H-FAST helpline. He also assured complete confidentiality for informants.
Furthermore, Sajjanar praised the H-FAST team for its performance during the first 100 days. He appreciated the coordinated efforts of the police, GHMC, Food Safety and Veterinary departments. He also thanked citizens for their cooperation. According to him, the Commissioner’s office now receives around 15 tip-offs every day. Finally, he warned that police would invoke the PD Act against organised food adulteration offenders whenever required.
