Crackdown on adulterated goods in Hyderabad: CP Sajjanar deploys special anti-food adulteration teams

Hyderabad: Police have decided to launch a crackdown against food adulteration in Hyderabad.

Under the direct supervision of Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar, exclusive Anti-Food Adulteration Teams (AFAT) will be deployed to identify, raid, and shut down adulteration units operating within the city and its surrounding areas.

Dedicated teams with a singular focus

As part of the strategy, special teams will function exclusively to tackle adulteration-related offences. These teams will gather intelligence, conduct surprise inspections, and take swift legal action against those involved in manufacturing, storing, or supplying adulterated goods.

A Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)-rank officer will oversee the functioning of these teams to ensure effective coordination and strict enforcement across all police stations, particularly in vulnerable zones.

Everyday essentials under threat

Officials said that adulteration has penetrated nearly every segment of consumer goods. From milk meant for infants to staple food items such as rice, cooking oil, chilli powder, turmeric, gram flour, ghee, and spices, adulterated products are finding their way into local markets.

In addition, items like tea powder, soaps, and even poultry feed are being sold in adulterated or counterfeit forms. Alarmingly, racketeers are duplicating well-known brand names and packaging, deceiving consumers and posing serious health risks.

City outskirts emerge as adulteration hubs

Police investigations have revealed that the outskirts of Hyderabad have become safe havens for adulteration rackets. Small sheds, rented rooms, and makeshift units are being used to manufacture spurious goods while staying under the radar.

Peripheral areas under the Hyderabad, Malkajgiri, Cyberabad, and Future City commissionerates—such as Pahadi Shareef, Jalpally, Meerpet, Adibatla, Shamshabad, Hayathnagar, Ghatkesar, Medchal, Balanagar, Patancheru, Ibrahimpatnam, Kandukur, and Maheshwaram—have been identified as major hotspots.

While task force and special police units have carried out raids earlier, officials admit that a sustained, intelligence-driven operation was necessary to dismantle these networks completely.

Zero tolerance towards adulteration

Announcing the intensified drive, Commissioner Sajjanar made it clear that the police would adopt a zero-tolerance approach.

“Our objective is to ensure that criminals involved in adulteration fear the law. Whether it is manufacturing or supplying spurious goods, we will not allow such activities to continue. With special teams, constant surveillance, and strict monitoring, adulteration will be eradicated at its roots,” Sajjanar said.

The Hyderabad CP also asserted that the campaign will be continuous, with the ultimate goal of protecting public health and restoring consumer confidence in the market.