11,220 kg adulterated spices seized in Hyderabad raids, two held

Police raided two food units in Hyderabad on August 20, seizing 11,220 kg of adulterated spices and expired products. The Malkajgiri Police Commissionerate said two persons were apprehended for alleged food adulteration and misbranding. Commissioner B Sumathi said the accused repacked expired products with fresh dates and mixed chilli powder with sawdust, adding food colours to mimic products of a well-known company.

India Today reports that police said the accused had been manufacturing adulterated products for three years. The Malkajgiri Police said they will invoke appropriate laws based on lab reports, and that Hyderabad's H-FAST team has seized over 280 tonnes of adulterated food items since March. The Times of India reports that on the same day, the Telangana government told the high court that food adulteration is a serious health hazard. The court was hearing a petition by businessman Vikas Agarwal seeking to quash a case against him, the judge refused interim relief and adjourned the matter to August 24.

The Times of India says police allegedly seized inferior-quality cumin and caraway seeds mixed with industrial-grade dye from a unit linked to Agarwal. His counsel argued that no incriminating material was recovered from his client and that the case relies only on another accused's disclosure statement. The court will hear the matter next on August 24.