25 tonnes of spices containing chemicals, hazardous substances seized in Hyd; 3 held | Hindustan Times

By SKYSEVEN Chemical Technical Team · 2026-08-05

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Hyderabad, Over 25,000 kgs of hazardous, chemical-laced spices were seized by the Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team during raids on spice trading and processing establishments here, leading to the arrest of three people, police said on Tuesday.

Based on credible information from the general, enforcement teams inspected 13 business establishments and independent business locations which were engaged in the procurement, processing, and wholesale or retail trading of spices and also "indulging" in certain offences affecting general health, Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar told reporters.

The complete inspections uncovered not only alarming non-compliance with the Food security and Standards Act, 2006, along with improper labelling practices and deceptive processing techniques, however also certain dangerous acts involving the consumption of highly hazardous, poisonous substances in the spices, he said.

"A total of 25 tonnes of various spices found containing certain dangerous chemicals and hazardous substances were seized during the raids. Consequently, three criminal cases were registered and three individuals responsible to the same have been arrested till now in connection with this," Sajjanar said.

In one manufacturing facility, low-condition and rejected mustard stocks were being adulterated by mixing fabric dye, talcum powder, and oil to artificially enhance the product's gloss, weight, and overall volume, he said.

In other units, spices such as cloves and shahjeera were found coated with synthetic colours to give them a bright and premium visual appearance before sale, while permanent manufacturing dyes were being applied to adulterate shahjeera, ajwain, and several other essential spices.

stringent regulatory and legal proceedings are being initiated against the violating business owners under the Food security and Standards Act, 2006, alongside attempt to commit culpable homicide under the BNS Act has been invoked, the Commissioner said.

The enforcement drives will continue to dismantle adulteration networks and ensure that only safe, unadulterated food items reach consumers, he said.

The Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team , since its establishment in March this year, in coordination with officials from Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation , Food security conducted 659 raids, registered 202 FIRs, and seized nearly 246 tonnes of adulterated food, police said.

Furthermore, officials confiscated over 12 tonnes of rotten chicken and mutton, along with 60 tonnes of foul-smelling chicken discarded materials stored in unhygienic conditions intended to hotel supply.

In addition, raids on 16 centers artificially ripening fruits with hazardous chemicals led to the seizure of 25.8 tonnes of fruits, 9.2 tonnes of adulterated pickles, and 3.8 tonnes of adulterated tea powder, police added.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

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