Hyderabad H-FAST raids six food units, arrests six for safety violations
Synopsis
H-FAST and GHMC officers arrested six people across six Hyderabad food units in a single day, uncovering reused cooking oil, artificial colours, expired products, and missing FSSAI licences. This follows a similar raid just two days earlier in Chandrayangutta — pointing to a sustained, escalating enforcement blitz across the city's food supply chain.
Key Takeaways
H-FAST and GHMC Food Safety officers arrested six persons during raids on six food establishments on 19 July in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts.
Violations included use of reused cooking oil , artificial food colours , sale of expired and misbranded products , and absence of valid FSSAI licences .
Seized items and food samples have been sent for laboratory analysis ; notices issued to Food Business Operators.
A prior drive on 17 July in Chandrayangutta seized approximately 20 litres of reused oil, 40 kg of fried chicken, 40 kg of raw coloured chicken, and artificial colour packets.
Citizens can report food adulteration to H-FAST Toll-Free Number 8712661212 .
The Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST) of the Commissioner's Task Force, acting in coordination with Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Food Safety officers, apprehended six persons during raids on six food establishments across Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts on 19 July. The crackdown is part of a continuing special enforcement drive targeting food adulteration and non-compliance with food safety norms.
Establishments Targeted
The six food businesses inspected included food manufacturing units, an ice cream unit, murukulu manufacturing units, a bakery, and a retail food establishment. All six persons apprehended were handed over to the concerned Food Safety officers for further action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Violations Uncovered
Inspections revealed a wide range of infractions: unhygienic food preparation and storage, use of reused cooking oil and artificial food colours, sale of expired and misbranded products, absence of valid FSSAI licences, improper labelling, poor sanitation, pest infestation, inadequate food safety records, and improper storage practices. Reused cooking oil, artificial food colours, and other unsafe food articles were seized, and food samples were collected for laboratory analysis. Notices were issued directing Food Business Operators to rectify violations and comply with prescribed standards.
Who Led the Drive
The enforcement operation was led by Inspectors of Police N. Ranjith Kumar Goud and M. Anjaiah of H-FAST, supported by H-FAST personnel and GHMC Food Safety officers. Notably, a prior drive on 17 July at two fast-food centres in the Chandrayangutta area had already yielded seizures of approximately 20 litres of reused cooking oil, approximately 40 kg of fried chicken, approximately 40 kg of raw coloured chicken, and three boxes and six packets of artificial food colours — signalling an intensifying pattern of enforcement across the city.
Advisory to the Public
The Hyderabad City Police has urged citizens to purchase food only from licensed, hygienic establishments, verify FSSAI licences and expiry dates before buying, and report food adulteration or unhygienic practices to the H-FAST Toll-Free Number 8712661212 for prompt action. With successive drives yielding arrests and seizures within days of each other, the crackdown signals a sustained push by Hyderabad authorities to hold food businesses accountable ahead of what is typically a high-consumption monsoon season.
Point of View
Reused oil, artificial colours, and pest infestation appearing simultaneously across multiple establishment types points to systemic laxity, not isolated incidents. The real accountability question is whether laboratory analysis of seized samples will lead to prosecutions under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, or whether, as has often been the case in Indian food enforcement, the drive ends at the arrest-and-notice stage. Public advisories and toll-free numbers are useful only if follow-through is visible.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is H-FAST and what does it do?
H-FAST, or the Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team, is a specialised unit of the Hyderabad Commissioner's Task Force that conducts enforcement drives against food adulteration in coordination with GHMC Food Safety officers. It has the authority to inspect food establishments, seize unsafe articles, and apprehend violators for action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
What violations were found during the 19 July Hyderabad food raids?
Inspections uncovered reused cooking oil, artificial food colours, expired and misbranded products, missing FSSAI licences, improper labelling, poor sanitation, pest infestation, and inadequate food safety records across the six establishments raided. Food samples were collected for laboratory analysis and notices were issued to operators.
Who was arrested in the Hyderabad food safety drive on 19 July?
Six persons — operators or staff of the raided food establishments — were apprehended and handed over to Food Safety officers for further action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The drive was led by Inspectors of Police N. Ranjith Kumar Goud and M. Anjaiah of H-FAST.
How can Hyderabad residents report food adulteration?
The Hyderabad City Police has advised citizens to call the H-FAST Toll-Free Number 8712661212 to report food adulteration or unhygienic food practices. Residents are also urged to buy only from FSSAI-licensed establishments and to check expiry dates before purchasing food.
Was this the first such drive by H-FAST recently?
No. A similar enforcement drive was conducted on 17 July at two fast-food centres in Chandrayangutta, Hyderabad, where officials seized approximately 20 litres of reused cooking oil, 40 kg of fried chicken, 40 kg of raw coloured chicken, and several packets of artificial food colours. The 19 July drive is a continuation of this intensified campaign.
