# Telangana tests 3,576 food samples, records zero penalties 2026-08-10T04:47:08+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Telangana analysed 3,576 food samples in 2025-26, of which 398 were non-conforming, yet the state recorded zero penalties or convictions, Union health ministry data shows. The non-conforming samples included misbranded products, expired ingredients and adulterants. Tamil Nadu, by contrast, tested 44,603 samples and reported 1,359 penalties and 857 convictions. Kerala tested 16,746 samples and secured 330 convictions. Food safety officials blame a backlog of over 100 cases pending before district additional collectors, who handle civil food safety matters. The state also faces a severe manpower crunch: only 44 of 81 sanctioned food safety officer posts are filled, leaving 37 vacancies. The shortfall hampers inspections and sample collection, which at 3,576 samples was lower than Andhra Pradesh's 5,798 and Maharashtra's 7,694. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: adulteration, food safety, Lok Sabha, penalties, Telangana, vacancies Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/telangana-tests-3576-food-samples-records-zero-penalties/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/telangana-tests-3576-food-samples-records-zero-penalties/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.