Cyberabad Police Launch Major Crackdown on Food Adulteration
The Cyberabad Enforcement Wing has executed a series of targeted raids across the commissionerate, spanning from January 1 to April 21, 2024. These operations were specifically aimed at food adulterators and unlicensed food manufacturing units that pose a significant threat to public health. During this period, police authorities registered 22 cases and made 28 arrests, highlighting the severity of the violations uncovered.
Wide Range of Products Under Scrutiny
The enforcement actions focused on a diverse array of food products, including bakery items, sweets, namkeen, edible oils, wheat flour, ginger-garlic paste, meat products, ice creams, and sauces. Investigators discovered numerous units utilizing substandard raw materials and hazardous chemicals, such as synthetic food colors, which are known to have adverse health effects.
Unhygienic Conditions and Regulatory Violations
Police officials noted that several establishments were operating in deplorable, unhygienic environments without the mandatory Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registration or valid trade licenses. In one particularly egregious case, authorities uncovered large-scale adulteration involving edible oil and wheat flour, leading to the seizure of over 5,026 liters of oil and 5,192 kilograms of flour.
Illegal Manufacturing and Counterfeiting Exposed
The enforcement wing also dismantled illegal ginger-garlic paste manufacturing units that were employing unknown chemicals as preservatives and affixing counterfeit brand labels to their products. Overall, the raids resulted in the confiscation of adulterated food items, machinery, and vehicles with an estimated total value of about 64 lakh rupees.
Public Advisory Issued
In light of these findings, Cyberabad police have issued a strong advisory to the public, urging consumers to purchase food only from licensed vendors, diligently verify expiry dates, and promptly report any suspicious activities to both police and food safety authorities. This initiative underscores the ongoing commitment to safeguarding community health and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.
