Hyderabad Police Start New Team to Stop Bad Food

Hyderabad police have created a special team to find and stop people who sell unsafe or fake food. This team will work to make sure the food people eat is safe and healthy.
By Newsroom | Crime, Hyderabad |

A concerted effort is underway in Hyderabad to address the pervasive issue of food adulteration. The city's police force has recently appointed an inspector-rank officer to lead a newly formed Anti-Food Adulteration Team (AFAT). This move signifies a strategic pivot towards establishing a robust, specialized wing dedicated to investigating and prosecuting violations of food safety regulations. The initiative aims to enhance the existing, often complaint-driven, enforcement mechanisms by creating a proactive and coordinated approach to safeguard public health from the dangers of contaminated and falsified food products.

Hyderabad Police appoints inspector to lead new anti-food adulteration wing - 1

Context of the Initiative

The establishment of the AFAT comes after persistent complaints regarding widespread food adulteration within Hyderabad and its surrounding areas. Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar has been a driving force behind this initiative, recognizing the severity of the problem and the need for a more structured response. Previously, the responsibility for tackling food adulteration often fell to general task forces or local police units, who would act based on specific tips or complaints in coordination with the Food Safety Authority and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).

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Hyderabad Police appoints inspector to lead new anti-food adulteration wing - 2

Key developments leading to the AFAT's formation include:

Hyderabad Police appoints inspector to lead new anti-food adulteration wing - 3

  • Formalization of a Specialized Wing: The appointment of an inspector marks the creation of a distinct unit focused solely on food adulteration.

  • Coordination with Multiple Agencies: The AFAT is designed to work in tandem with the Food Safety Authority and the GHMC's Food Safety Wing, consolidating efforts.

  • Broadening the Scope of Action: The team will be responsible for gathering intelligence, conducting thorough inspections, and ensuring legal action is taken against offenders, moving beyond reactive raids.

  • Addressing Common Adulterants: Reports indicate that adulteration affects a wide range of essential food items, including milk and dairy products, garlic-ginger paste, tea powder, ice cream, and cooking oils. Concerns are also raised about uncertified bottled water sold during warmer months.

Evidence of Dedicated Action

Multiple reports highlight the commitment to establishing and empowering this new unit:

Hyderabad Police appoints inspector to lead new anti-food adulteration wing - 4

  • Inspector Appointed: On Monday, February 16, an inspector-rank officer, N Ranjeet Kumar Gaud of the Task Force (Khairatabad Zone), was officially assigned to lead the AFAT. This team will operate under the supervision of a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).

  • Strategic Deployment: Exclusive Anti-Food Adulteration Teams (AFAT) are being deployed to identify, raid, and shut down adulteration operations, particularly in areas identified as "adulteration hubs" on the city's outskirts.

  • Zero Tolerance Policy: Police Commissioner Sajjanar has declared a "zero tolerance policy" towards food adulteration, likening its impact on public health to an "attempt to murder."

  • Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Development: A new SOP is being drafted to streamline enforcement processes, covering raid procedures, sample collection, evidence seizure, and arrest protocols, with a focus on preventing legal loopholes.

  • Expanded Enforcement Focus: The crackdown is intended to extend beyond street vendors to encompass large manufacturing and processing units involved in food production.

  • Public Engagement Channels: Plans are in motion to launch a dedicated WhatsApp number and a toll-free helpline to encourage public reporting of food adulteration incidents, with assurances of informant confidentiality.

Probing Food Adulteration's Reach

The prevalence of adulterated goods appears to be a systemic issue, affecting numerous consumer products.

  • Commonly Adulterated Items: Reports specifically mention adulteration in milk, garlic-ginger paste, tea powder, dairy products, ice cream, and cooking oils.

  • Impact on Everyday Goods: The adulteration problem has reportedly permeated "nearly every segment of consumer goods."

  • Exploitative Pricing: The disparity in pricing, such as a half-liter milk sachet being sold at significantly different price points, suggests potential adulteration to reduce costs.

The initiative is backed by a commitment to apply stringent legal measures against offenders.

  • "Attempt to Murder" Classification: Commissioner Sajjanar has indicated that food adulteration will be treated with the utmost seriousness, akin to an attempt to cause death, underscoring the gravity of the threat to public health.

  • Legal Consequences: Violations will attract action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Food Safety and Standards Act, with a promise of "strict punishments" for habitual offenders.

  • Joint Task Forces: Specialized joint task forces, comprising police and food safety officials, are being formed to address adulteration at all levels.

Addressing Operational Gaps

The creation of the AFAT is also aimed at improving operational efficiency and information flow.

  • Dedicated Personnel: The team will eventually include constables, head constables, and ministerial staff, expected to be fully operational by the end of the month.

  • Intelligence Gathering: A primary function of the AFAT will be to collect information on food adulteration activities.

  • Proactive Inspections: The team will conduct inspections in coordination with other agencies, moving beyond reactive measures.

Conclusion and Future Steps

The Hyderabad Police's establishment of the Anti-Food Adulteration Team represents a significant advancement in the fight against food fraud and its detrimental effects on public health. By creating a dedicated unit with clear directives, enhanced coordination mechanisms, and a commitment to stringent legal action, the police aim to create a safer food environment for the city's residents.

Key implications and next steps include:

  • Full Operationalization: The complete staffing and operational readiness of the AFAT are anticipated by the end of the current month.

  • SOP Implementation: The successful rollout and consistent application of the new Standard Operating Procedure will be crucial for effective enforcement.

  • Public Reporting System: The launch of the WhatsApp and toll-free helpline is expected to significantly boost intelligence gathering and public participation in combating adulteration.

  • Deterrent Effect: The rigorous application of penalties and the serious classification of food adulteration offenses are intended to serve as a strong deterrent to potential offenders.

  • Monitoring and Evaluation: Ongoing assessment of the AFAT's performance will be necessary to adapt strategies and ensure sustained impact.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Hyderabad police start a new team for food?
They started the team because many people were selling food that was not safe or was fake. This can make people sick.
Q: What will this new team do?
The team will look for places that make or sell bad food. They will also take action against people who break the rules.
Q: What kind of food is being faked?
Reports say that milk, ice cream, cooking oil, and tea powder are some of the foods that are often faked or made unsafe.
Q: How can people report bad food?
The police plan to start a phone number and a WhatsApp number for people to report problems. They will keep the names of people who report secret.