Hyderabad: Surprise inspections by the Flying Squad of the Food Safety Department, Telangana, at several manufacturing units across the state in the past week revealed grave food safety violations. Contaminated items such as cashews, candies, and dairy products deemed unfit for consumption were discarded during these raids.
Insect infested cashews
A raid at a cashew repacking unit in the Mallapur area of Hyderabad on Saturday, March 28, found 36 kg of cashew infested with insects. These were discarded on the spot, while 210 kg of cashews, worth approximately Rs 1.5 lakh, were seized on suspicion of low quality.
Samples from the seized stock have been sent for laboratory testing to determine whether they meet safety standards.
Authorities have urged consumers to exercise caution when purchasing dry fruits, to check packaging and labelling details carefully, including manufacturing and expiry dates, and to ensure products are sourced from licensed vendors.
Consumers were also asked to inspect for signs such as insects, foul smell, or discolouration before consumption.
Raid at badam milk unit
Another raid at a kulfi, falooda, and badam milk manufacturing unit in Mallapur on Saturday found badam milk being prepared in highly unhygienic conditions and products being exposed to flies.
Fifty litres of products were discarded on the spot to protect public health, and strict action is being taken against the business operator for violating food safety norms, officials said.
Raid at confectionery units
Earlier this week, on March 24, a special state-wide drive was conducted at the manufacturers/retailers of confectionery products. A total of 109 establishments were inspected and 190 samples were sent or lab analysis.
Unsafe confectionery, including candies, eclairs, chocolates, mango bites, imitation chocolates, and flavoured sweets seized across districts and 35 kg of expired/unsafe products were discarded on the spot.
Improvement notices and show cause notices were issued based on violations.
Officials have asked the public to avoid loose/unbranded confectionery items and not to consume products with unusual colour, smell or texture.
