Spices coated in cloth dye, talcum powder? Hyderabad raids expose shocking food adulteration
HYDERABAD: Over 25,000 kg of hazardous, chemical-laced spices were seized by the Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team during raids on spice trading and processing establishments.The action led to the arrest of three people, police said on Tuesday.Acting on credible information from the public, enforcement teams inspected 13 business establishments and independent business locations involved in the procurement, processing, and wholesale or retail trading of spices and also “indulging” in certain offences affecting human health, Hyderabad police commissioner VC Sajjanar said.The comprehensive inspections uncovered alarming non-compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, along with improper labelling practices and deceptive processing techniques.Officials also found dangerous practices involving the use of highly hazardous and poisonous substances in spices, news agency PTI reported.The commissioner informed, “A total of 25 tonnes of various spices found containing certain dangerous chemicals and hazardous substances were seized during the raids.”Consequently, three criminal cases were registered and three individuals responsible for the same have been arrested till now in connection with this,” Sajjanar added.Officials identified the widespread use of synthetic harmful chemicals and colours in food, including Bush Synthetic Orange Red and Green Food Colours, along with poisonous substances such as cloth dyes, industrial-grade permanent colours, shining powder (talcum powder), and rice bran oil, he said.At one manufacturing facility, low-quality and rejected mustard stocks were being adulterated by mixing fabric dye, talcum powder and oil to artificially enhance the product’s gloss, weight and overall volume, he said.In other units, spices such as cloves and shahjeera were found coated with synthetic colours to give them a bright and premium appearance before sale.Permanent industrial dyes were also being used to adulterate shahjeera, ajwain and several other essential spices.Strict regulatory and legal proceedings are being initiated against the violating business owners under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, while an attempt to commit culpable homicide under the BNS Act has also been invoked, the Commissioner said.The enforcement drives will continue to dismantle adulteration networks and ensure that only safe, unadulterated food products reach consumers, he said.Since its establishment in March this year, the Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST), in coordination with officials from Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Food Safety, has conducted 659 raids, registered 202 FIRs and seized nearly 246 tonnes of adulterated food, police said.Officials also confiscated over 12 tonnes of rotten chicken and mutton, along with 60 tonnes of foul-smelling chicken waste stored in unhygienic conditions and intended for hotel supply.In addition, raids on 16 centres artificially ripening fruits with hazardous chemicals led to the seizure of 25.8 tonnes of fruits, 9.2 tonnes of adulterated pickles and 3.8 tonnes of adulterated tea powder, police added.(With agency inputs)
