Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST), in coordination with the food safety department, seized 25 tonnes of adulterated spices allegedly mixed with industrial cloth dyes, talcum powder and other hazardous chemicals from 13 spice trading and processing units across Hyderabad. Police registered three FIRs, two at Mailardevpally and one at Balapur police stations, and arrested three persons. The arrested were identified as Rahul Bhati of Katedan and Vishal Panwar and Dulichand Kachhawar, both from Begum Bazaar. Police also seized 89 tonnes of raw material allegedly meant for adulteration.Officials said the raids uncovered the use of industrial-grade cloth dyes, permanent colours, talcum powder, rice bran oil and synthetic colours to enhance the appearance, weight and market value of spices. Rejected mustard stocks were allegedly mixed with fabric dye, talcum powder and oil, while cloves and shahjeera were coated with synthetic colours to make them appear premium. Addressing the media, Hyderabad police commissioner VC Sajjanar said the chemicals seized were clearly labelled “poisonous” and “non-edible”. “These are chemicals used in the textile industry for dyeing clothes. They are not fit for human consumption, or even for animals,” he said.Calling it a “conscious crime” rather than routine food adulteration, Sajjanar said the accused knowingly endangered public health for profit. “Continuous consumption of these chemicals can lead to liver and kidney damage, cancer and other serious illnesses. Since they knowingly mixed poisonous substances in food meant for human consumption, we have invoked charges of attempted culpable homicide under Section 110 of the BNS against the accused. If required, we will also invoke the PD Act,” he said.Police said spices are particularly vulnerable to adulteration as they are generally added directly to food without being washed. During the press meet, officers demonstrated how adulterated cloves, ajwain, saunf and shahjeera immediately released colour when immersed in water, unlike genuine spices. Among the adulterated stock seized were 7,920 kg of ajwain, 6,700 kg of jeera, 4,960 kg of mustard, 2,350 kg of jeera dust, 2,280 kg of shahjeera, 550 kg of cloves and 540 kg of saunf. Raw materials seized included 13.46 tonnes of fenugreek seeds, 10 tonnes of sesame seeds, 90 kg of talcum powder, 12 litres of rice bran oil, 1.5 kg of synthetic dyes and three rolling machines.Sajjanar urged consumers to purchase spices only from licensed vendors, verify FSSAI details and report suspected food adulteration through Dial 100 or the H-FAST helpline. He said H-FAST, launched around 140 days ago, has so far conducted 659 raids, registered 202 FIRs and seized nearly 246 tonnes of adulterated food, making it the country’s first coordinated police-food safety enforcement initiative against organised food adulteration.GFX: (Unedited)H-FAST spice adulteration crackdown:13 spice trading & processing units inspected25.3 tonnes of adulterated spices seized89.15 tonnes of raw materials seized3 FIRs registered3 accused arrestedAdulterated spices seized: Ajwain (Wamu): 7,920 kgJeera: 6,700 kgMustard: 4,960 kgJeera dust: 2,350 kgShahjeera: 2,280 kgCloves (Lavang): 550 kgSaunf: 540 kgTotal: 25,300 kgRaw materials and chemicals seized:Fenugreek (Methi): 13,460 kgSesame seeds: 10,000 kgTalcum powder (Shining powder): 90 kgRice bran oil: 12 litresSynthetic/Fabric dyes: 1.5 kgRolling machines: 3H-FAST in 140 days: Raids: 659FIRs: 202Adulterated food seized: 246 tonnesCases handed to GHMC Food Safety: 232Paneer units inspected: 46Ghee outlets inspected: 83Major seizures by H-FAST (140 days): Ginger-garlic paste: 27.02 tonnesRotten chicken & mutton: 12+ tonnesChicken waste: 60 tonnesChemically ripened fruits: 25.8 tonnesAdulterated pickles: 9.2 tonnesAdulterated tea powder: 3.8 tonnesSynthetic paneer: 1.5 tonnesAdulterated curd: 2.5 tonnesCream, ghee & oil: 3.2 tonnesSub-standard RO water: 23.7 tonnes
