Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
In one of the largest anti-adulteration operations in Hyderabad in recent years, the Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST) seized nearly 25 tonnes (25,000 kg) of adulterated spices during raids across the city.
The operation, carried out under the City Police Commissioner’s Task Force, along with the GHMC Food Safety Department, resulted in the registration of three criminal cases and the arrest of three persons allegedly involved in processing and selling chemical-laced spices.
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The special inspection drive was launched following public complaints about food adulteration and the suspected use of hazardous substances in spices.
Officials said the objective was to curb the use of harmful chemicals, enforce food safety standards and protect public health.
During the operation, enforcement teams inspected 13 spice trading and processing establishments engaged in the procurement, processing and sale of spices.
Investigators found that some units were allegedly using synthetic food colours, cloth dyes, industrial-grade permanent colours, talcum powder and rice bran oil to enhance the appearance, weight and market value of spices.
Police arrested Rahul Bhati from Katedan, Vishal Panwar and Dulichand Kachhawa from Begum Bazaar. Two cases were registered at Mailardevpally Police Station and one at Balapur Police Station.
THE GRAND HAUL
Officials seized around 25,300 kg of adulterated spices, including 7,920 kg of ajwain, 6,700 kg of jeera, 550 kg of cloves, 2,280 kg of shajeera, 540 kg of saunf, 4,960 kg of mustard and 2,350 kg of jeera dust.
They also confiscated more than 89 tonnes of raw materials such as mustard, fenugreek and sesame seeds, besides synthetic dyes, shining powder, rice bran oil and three rolling machines used in processing.
According to the police, rejected and poor-quality mustard stock was allegedly mixed with fabric dyes, talcum powder and oil to improve its appearance.
In other units, synthetic colours were reportedly applied to cloves and shajeera, while industrial dyes were mixed with ajwain and other spices.
Food Safety officials collected samples from the seized stock for laboratory analysis.
Legal proceedings have been initiated under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and other applicable laws. Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar said authorities had also invoked provisions related to attempt to commit culpable homicide under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in the case.
Officials warned that consumption of food adulterated with industrial dyes and other non-edible chemicals can lead to serious health problems, including liver and kidney damage, digestive disorders, allergies, skin diseases and long-term neurological complications.
Police said that within 140 days of its formation, H-FAST has conducted 659 raids, registered 202 FIRs and seized 246 tonnes of adulterated food products.
The agency has also uncovered several major food adulteration rackets involving ginger-garlic paste, meat, poultry waste, fruits, pickles, tea powder, paneer, curd, cream and ghee.
The latest crackdown is expected to be followed by further raids and prosecution of those involved, while authorities have urged citizens to buy food products only from licensed vendors and report suspected adulteration through Dial 100 or the H-FAST helpline.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
