Hyderabad-FAST seizes cloves, fennel seeds and other spices adulterated with dyes, synthetic colours and talcum powder
Authorities in Hyderabad have seized over 25,000 kilograms of adulterated spices, including cloves and fennel seeds, which were treated with industrial dyes and talcum powder. The enforcement drive targeted businesses that were using harmful additives to artificially enhance the appearance and weight of their products.
Why it matters
Exposes significant food safety risks and regulatory efforts to protect public health from fraudulent manufacturing practices.
In a major drive conducted by Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-Fast) with GHMC’s Food Safety Team, over 25,300 kgs of spices which were adulterated using fabric dyes, talcum powder, industrial dyes, synthetic colours and other means were seized. The adulterated spices included mustard seeds, fennel seeds, cloves, shajeera, ajwain and jeera. The products were adulterated to enhance their appearance, increase weight and for other purposes.
The adulterated spices along with harmful additives used, displayed at a press conference held in Hyderabad on August 4, 2026 | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL
The seized products includes 7,920 kgs of ajwain; 6,700 kgs of jeera; 4,960 kgs of mustard; 2,350 kg jeera dust; 2,280 kgs shajeera; 550 kgs cloves, and 540 kgs fennel seeds. Besides this, 89,150 kgs raw material used for adulteration too was seized.
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