25,000 Kg Spices Seized, 3 Arrested: Hyderabad Food Adulteration Crackdown
Hyderabad authorities have seized 25,000 kg of adulterated spices containing industrial dyes and harmful chemicals in a major food safety crackdown. Three individuals have been arrested as part of a wider 140-day enforcement operation across the city.
Why it matters
This highlights significant public health risks associated with food supply chains and the effectiveness of local food safety enforcement.
A major crackdown by Hyderabad Police and food safety officials has exposed the alleged use of synthetic colours, industrial dyes and other harmful substances to adulterate spices and make them look brighter, heavier and more expensive.The H-FAST team of the Hyderabad Commissioner's Task Force, along with GHMC Food Safety officials, conducted raids at 13 spice processing and trading establishments across Hyderabad. Officials seized around 25,000 kg of spices and other materials and arrested three people.Investigators allegedly found the use of synthetic orange, red and green food colours, permanent industrial dyes, cloth dyes, talcum or shining powder and rice-bran oil in spice processing. Officials suspect that these substances were being used to improve the colour, shine, weight and volume of products and sell them at higher prices for easy profits.At one facility, low-quality and rejected mustard stocks were allegedly mixed with fabric dye, talcum powder and oil to artificially enhance their appearance,…
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