Hyderabad on Alert as Adulterated Food Network Exposed

The sale of adulterated food products is increasing alarmingly in the city, with traders reportedly mixing harmful chemicals in items ranging from ginger-garlic paste to dry fruits and other daily essentials. In many cases, residences are being used as illegal production units , where counterfeit products are prepared and sold under the names of well-known brands at cheaper prices. These low-cost goods are often purchased by local retailers and supplied to consumers, posing serious health risks.

Authorities say consumption of such contaminated food can lead to severe health complications. Although strict regulations exist, offenders have continued their operations. Recently, police and food safety officials intensified raids across the city, uncovering several illegal units, arresting suspects and sealing the premises. Officials have urged citizens to be cautious while buying food products.

In one such operation, Hyderabad police raided an illegal unit manufacturing adulterated ginger-garlic paste near Baba Kanta in Shastripuram , close to the railway tracks at Uddangadda. Two suspects, Abdul Aleem and Jasani Dildar Ali , were arrested for allegedly preparing the paste using substandard raw materials mixed with chemicals such as salt, titanium dioxide and xanthan gum to improve its texture and appearance.

Police seized 1,800 kg of ginger-garlic paste , xanthan gum powder , titanium dioxide , synthetic food colour, along with packing, grinding and weighing machines used in the operation. A case has been registered at the Mailardevpally Police Station , and further investigation is underway.

Earlier, on March 11 , police arrested Mohammed Ziauddin (45) and Mohammed Mazar Ali (47) for producing ginger paste inside houses in Subhan Colony and Alli Nagar . The accused were reportedly selling the product under the brand names Seven Cooks and Arjun Enterprises . During the raid, officials seized 675 kg of ginger paste , drums, packaging materials, labels and other equipment. The value of the seized paste is estimated at around ₹90,000 .

In a separate incident, police arrested Asava Manish (42) for selling spoiled and unhygienic dry fruits . The arrest was carried out by the Central Crime Station (CCS) , the Food Adulteration Team and Bahadurpura Police .

The accused was operating a warehouse named Gem Foods (Imports and Exports) in Chelapura near Charminar , where he allegedly stored and sold fungus-infested dry fruits by misrepresenting them as premium products. Officials seized 30 cartons of rotten dry fruits stored in unsanitary conditions during the inspection.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of CCS Inspector D. Bikshapathi and his team. ACP Venkateshwara Reddy urged the public to remain vigilant while purchasing packaged or bulk food items and advised them to immediately report suspected cases of adulteration to the nearest police station or food safety authorities. He warned that strict action would be taken against those endangering public health.