Adulterated Ghee, Paneer Seized

Hyderabad: In a major crackdown on food adulteration, the Cyberabad police commissionerate conducted surprise raids on several food manufacturing units across Hyderabad on Wednesday, July 2. The raids, carried out in coordination with food safety officials, uncovered alarming violations of health and safety standards, resulting in the seizure of thousands of kilograms of adulterated food products and the arrest of dozens.

A total of 46 cases were registered, and 52 individuals were arrested during the operation. Violations included manufacturing without FSSAI licenses, use of expired raw materials, unhygienic processing conditions, and employment of child labour. Police also found food items being sold without proper trade licenses or essential labeling, including missing manufacturing and expiry dates.

In LB Nagar, officials seized 575 litres of adulterated ghee, while 3,946 kg of fake ginger garlic paste was confiscated in Maheshwaram. A further 3,037 kg of the same was discovered in Malkajgiri. In Bhongir, authorities recovered 250 kg of adulterated paneer.

Other items seized during the raids included adulterated milk, turmeric powder, coriander powder, sweets, biscuits, ice creams, bakery goods, and unauthorised mineral water.

Authorities described many of the production environments as filthy and hazardous, and in some cases, food was being manufactured in open spaces with flies, rodents, and no sanitation. Some units were using banned synthetic food colors, further endangering public health.

Citizens are urged to be vigilant and verify manufacturing and expiry dates when purchasing packaged food items. Police also appealed to the public to report any suspicious or unhygienic food manufacturing activities via WhatsApp at 8712662666.

The raids are part of an ongoing campaign by the Cyberabad police to curb food adulteration and ensure consumer safety in the region.

Opinion: Time to Crack Down Harder on Food Adulteration in Hyderabad
By Naveed uddin Khan Uzair, Crime Today News

The recent large-scale seizure of adulterated ghee, paneer, and ginger garlic paste in Hyderabad is not just another headline — it’s a wake-up call. Food adulteration is a silent threat that endangers public health, erodes consumer trust, and reflects a shocking level of negligence and greed within our food supply chain.

What’s more alarming is that many of these units operated without basic FSSAI licenses, used expired raw materials, and employed child labor. This isn’t merely a violation of food safety norms — it’s a betrayal of public trust and a crime against society. These aren’t isolated incidents, but part of a growing trend where profit takes precedence over human health.

Despite multiple crackdowns, adulteration continues unabated, which raises a crucial question: Is enforcement strong enough? While the arrest of 52 individuals and registration of 46 cases is a step in the right direction, what Hyderabad needs now is not just raids but relentless follow-up: faster prosecutions, stricter penalties, and permanent closures of repeat offenders.

Furthermore, citizens must take a more active role — checking product labels, verifying FSSAI certifications, and reporting suspicious products through official channels like the Cyberabad Police’s WhatsApp helpline.

Food is a basic necessity. The government and enforcement agencies must ensure it’s safe, clean, and honestly produced. Let this not be another forgotten raid. Let this be the beginning of sustained reform and accountability in Hyderabad’s food manufacturing ecosystem.