Hyderabad Food Safety Department Seizes Adulterated Products Worth Rs 7.7 Lakh
In a significant crackdown on food safety violations, the food safety department in Hyderabad conducted a flying squad inspection at Meghana Foods in Nacharam on Monday. The operation, part of a broader statewide special enforcement drive, resulted in the seizure of ghee and packaged milk valued at approximately Rs 7.7 lakh, with officials suspecting adulteration.
Details of the Seized Items
The confiscated products include 632 packs of cow ghee, weighing 394 kg and worth Rs 2.7 lakh, along with 7,208 milk tetra packs valued at Rs 5 lakh. According to Sangeeta Satyanarayana, the commissioner of the food safety office, these items were being sold under the 'Vijaya' brand. However, the distribution facility was found to be operating without a valid Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence, raising serious concerns about the authenticity and safety of the products.
Investigation Findings and Suspicions
During the inspection, officials discovered that the cow ghee under the Vijaya brand was manufactured by a dairy in Gujarat, while the Vijaya Suprabhatam UHT Toned Milk tetra packs were produced by a dairy in Indore. Meghana Food, located in Rikabgunj, Charminar, was marketing these products, claiming to be a franchise of the AP Dairy Development Co-Operative Federation. The commissioner stated, "We suspect adulteration as the distribution point at IDA Nacharam was found to be unauthorized and operating without a valid FSSAI license."
Officials have sent samples of the seized products for laboratory analysis to confirm the adulteration suspicions. The remaining stock has been sealed, and a notice has been issued to the operator. Further action will be taken based on the test results, as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Broader Statewide Enforcement Drive
This inspection was part of a larger special enforcement drive across the state, during which 71 inspections were conducted and 91 samples were collected to assess quality standards. The drive uncovered multiple violations, including:
- Sale of loose cow and buffalo milk without proper branding.
- Distribution of non-branded ghee across various districts.
- Milk centres operating without valid registration certificates.
In some cases, loose ghee deemed unsafe during preliminary checks was discarded. Authorities have issued improvement and show-cause notices to non-compliant establishments, emphasizing the importance of adhering to food safety regulations.
Commissioner Satyanarayana added, "All collected samples have been sent for testing, and further action will be initiated under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This will be done through improvement and show-cause notices to non-compliant establishments." The department remains vigilant in ensuring public health and safety through such enforcement measures.
