Fake Paneer Racket Uncovered
During the festive period, a significant crackdown on food adulteration in Hyderabad led to the discovery of a large-scale fake paneer operation. Police
teams conducted extensive raids across Secunderabad and other areas, targeting multiple dairy shops that were allegedly involved in the illicit trade. The operations resulted in the confiscation of an astonishing 5,600 kg of adulterated paneer. Specifically, one raid in Secunderabad alone yielded 2,600 kg, with an additional 3,000 kg seized from various other locations throughout the city. Investigators revealed that these substandard dairy products were being deceptively supplied to hotels, catering services, and retail shops, aiming to exploit the increased demand during festivals like Ugadi and Ramadan. Task Force DCP Vaibhav Gaikwad stated that the individuals involved were intentionally selling low-quality, fake paneer as genuine to generate illicit profits. The seized paneer was found to be stored in appalling conditions, openly exposed to dust and flies, completely lacking any proper labeling, expiry dates, or adherence to basic hygiene standards, posing severe health risks to consumers.
Unhygienic Pickle Production
In a separate but equally concerning discovery, Hyderabad police dismantled an illegal pickle manufacturing unit operating in Jiyaguda, Kulsumpura. The raid exposed extremely unsanitary production methods, with two individuals apprehended for their involvement. The unit was found to be using spoiled vegetables and inferior quality ingredients to produce pickles, a practice that poses significant health hazards. Authorities confiscated a substantial quantity of pickles, stored in 72 drums, along with large amounts of tomato and tamarind paste, and ginger-garlic paste, along with the necessary equipment. Officials indicated that these cheaply produced items were being distributed to local shops, putting the health of the public at risk, especially during times of increased consumption associated with festivals.
Chemical-Laced Pastes Seized
Further investigations into food adulteration led Task Force teams to raid units in the Tappachabutra and Borabanda areas of Hyderabad. These operations focused on the production of essential cooking pastes, specifically ginger-garlic paste. Over 1100 kg of this raw material, along with several thousand kilograms of other ingredients, were seized. The police found that these pastes were being adulterated with chemicals such as citric acid and acetic acid to enhance shelf life or alter consistency. The storage conditions were also found to be deplorable, with products kept in open containers under unsanitary circumstances. These adulterated pastes were reportedly supplied in bulk quantities to numerous hotels and catering services across the city, indicating a widespread network of illicit food preparation impacting a large segment of the food industry.
