Hyderabad Task Force Seizes 246 Tonnes of Tainted Food in Sweeping 140-Day Crackdown
Specialized surveillance teams in Hyderabad have exposed a massive network of food fraud involving synthetic dairy and toxic additives. Investigators filed 202 criminal cases after discovering industrial chemicals like urea in products sold for human consumption.
Key takeaways
- H-FAST and Hyderabad Police conducted 659 raids and filed 202 FIRs against food adulterators within 140 days.
- Investigators discovered synthetic paneer made from urea and palm oil, entirely lacking milk solids.
- Over 25 tonnes of spices and 25.8 tonnes of chemically ripened fruits were confiscated to protect public health.
- The public can report food safety violations directly to H-FAST via the hotline 8712661212 or X handle @HFastHCP.
Widespread Contamination Exposed
The Hyderabad-Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST), working alongside the Police Commissioner’s Task Force and municipal health officials, has uncovered a vast array of food safety breaches. Since beginning operations on March 19, 2026, the unit has executed 659 raids. These inspections revealed that adulteration permeates diverse food categories, ranging from basic pantry staples to perishable dairy items.
Key Facts
- Total Seizures: Officials confiscated approximately 246 tonnes of food products over a 140-day period.
- Criminal Actions: Law enforcement registered 202 First Information Reports (FIRs) and transferred 232 cases to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) for further administrative action.
- Chemical Adulterants: Investigators seized 1.5 tonnes of synthetic paneer manufactured using urea, palm oil, and hazardous chemicals without any milk content.
- Massive Spice Seizure: More than 25,300 kilograms of spices were taken off the market following reports of severe contamination.
- Dairy and Staples: The crackdown netted 2.5 tonnes of adulterated curd, 3.2 tonnes of fat products including ghee and oil, and 3.8 tonnes of tainted tea powder.
- Produce Safety: Authorities inspected 16 ripening centers, seizing 25.8 tonnes of fruit treated with prohibited hazardous chemicals.
Nature of Violations
The investigation highlights a spectrum of deceptive practices. In addition to synthetic dairy, teams found ginger-garlic paste mixed with fillers, decomposed ingredients used in food preparation, and low-quality coconut powder rebranded as premium goods. Prohibited synthetic colors and recycled cooking oil were also frequently identified at inspected sites. Beyond chemical tampering, many establishments failed basic sanitation standards, operating in unhygienic environments that posed immediate health risks to the public.
What Happens Next
Regulatory pressure continues as H-FAST relies on public intelligence to identify illegal manufacturing hubs. Citizens can report suspected food fraud directly via the dedicated hotline at 8712661212 or through the official social media handle @HFastHCP. The GHMC Food Safety officials are now processing the hundreds of cases handed over by the task force to ensure permanent compliance or closure of offending facilities.
Source: The Hindu — National
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