Last week, the Hyderabad Police launched the Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST) to check adulteration at food manufacturing units, eateries, and restaurants. Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar, who will oversee the team tasked with conducting surprise raids across the city, said that H-FAST is a dedicated, intelligence-driven mechanism to combat food adulteration.

So, what prompted the move to start a dedicated task force for food adulteration? We explain.

Uptick in incidents

In recent months, Hyderabad has seen an uptick in incidents of food adulteration and manufacturing of spurious food products. During raids, police and health officials have found fake ginger-garlic paste, adulterated paneer, ghee, kova (traditional Indian dairy product used to make sweets), pickles, spoilt milk, curd, and dairy products. Spices like turmeric, chilli powder, and mustard have been found to have been prepared using synthetic materials. These products, manufactured by illegal units in unhygienic conditions, are then supplied to roadside eateries, restaurants, and hotels at cheap rates, which could impact the health of consumers.

For instance, in Mallepally, police seized 1,090 kg of fake ginger-garlic paste. Manufactured using acetic acid, synthetic colours, and gum powder, large quantities of it was supplied to shops and popular eateries across the city.

In a separate raid, police seized fake tea powder, detergent powder, and mosquito repellent. From a dairy products shop, police seized 3,000 kgs of fake paneer, adulterated kova and ghee, and palm oil. At an illegal unit, cops found pickles being prepared using rotten and spoilt vegetables.

Headed by G Vaibhav Raghunath, Deputy Commissioner (Task Force), H-FAST will initially comprise 28 members, which includes Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors, and supporting staff focusing on surveillance, detection, and prosecution of offences related to unsafe food. More will join as operations expand.

The teams will conduct checks at food manufacturing units and stores and restaurants. Sajjanar said that its main task is food safety enforcement, and the team will work in close coordination with Food Safety Officers to strengthen regulatory action.

Officials emphasised that food adulteration is a serious offence posing a threat to public health. A zero-tolerance approach will be followed, and stringent legal action will be taken against offenders.

Can the public approach them with complaints?

Yes. A dedicated toll-free number (8712661212) has been established for the public to report instances of food adulteration and unsafe food practices. Citizens can also reach out through H-FAST’s official social media handles to share information and complaints, enabling quicker response and wider public participation.