25 tonnes of adulterated spices seized in Hyderabad, 3 arrested
Synopsis
Hyderabad's H-FAST unit seized 25 tonnes of spices adulterated with industrial dyes, talcum powder, and cloth dyes — and arrested three traders. In just 140 days of operation, the task force has now seized nearly 246 tonnes of adulterated food city-wide, exposing a sprawling contamination network that extends from spices to ginger-garlic paste, rotten meat, and chicken waste destined for hotel kitchens.
Key Takeaways
H-FAST and GHMC Food Safety jointly seized 25 tonnes of chemically adulterated spices across 13 establishments in Hyderabad.
Adulterants included industrial-grade permanent dyes , cloth dyes , talcum powder , and rice bran oil used to fake colour, weight, and gloss.
Three individuals — Rahul Bhati , Vishal Panwar , and Dulichand Kachhawar — were arrested; 3 FIRs registered across three police stations.
Within 140 days of its formation, H-FAST has conducted 659 raids , filed 202 FIRs , and seized nearly 246 tonnes of adulterated food.
Separate seizures included over 27 tonnes of adulterated ginger-garlic paste (containing titanium oxide and acetic acid ) and 60 tonnes of foul-smelling chicken waste intended for hotel supply.
The Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST) of the Police Commissioner's Task Force on Tuesday seized 25 tonnes of spices laced with dangerous chemicals and arrested three individuals following a coordinated enforcement drive across the Hyderabad Commissionerate. The operation was conducted jointly with the Food Safety Department of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), targeting spice trading and processing establishments found to be adulterating food with substances harmful to human health.
What the Raids Uncovered
Enforcement teams inspected 13 business establishments — spanning procurement, processing, and wholesale or retail trading of spices — acting on credible public information. Across these premises, officials documented the widespread use of synthetic harmful chemicals, including Bush synthetic food colours, cloth dyes, industrial-grade permanent colours, shining powder (talcum powder), and rice bran oil.
In one manufacturing unit, low-quality and rejected mustard stocks were being adulterated by blending fabric dye, talcum powder, and oil to artificially boost the product's gloss, weight, and volume. In other facilities, spices such as cloves and shahzeera were coated with synthetic colours to project a premium visual appearance, while permanent industrial dyes were being used to adulterate shahzeera, ajwain, and several other essential spices.
Accused Identified and Arrested
Three criminal cases were registered across three police stations following the raids. The arrested individuals — Rahul Bhati, Vishal Panwar, and Dulichand Kachhawar, all residents of Hyderabad — have been taken into custody in connection with these cases.
Broader H-FAST Track Record
Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar noted that H-FAST, established 140 days prior, has already conducted 659 raids, registered 202 FIRs, and seized nearly 246 tonnes of adulterated food across the city. Additionally, 232 cases were handed over to GHMC Food Safety officials for further action, with inspections carried out at 46 paneer and 83 ghee outlets.
Scale of Contamination Across Food Categories
Beyond spices, the inspections revealed alarming practices in other food segments. Titanium oxide — a chemical used in paints — and acetic acid were reportedly being added to ginger-garlic paste to make it appear white and thick. This paste was being prepared using unpeeled and rotten ginger and garlic across 32 centres, leading to the seizure of over 27 tonnes (27,024 kg) of adulterated paste.
Officials also confiscated over 12 tonnes of rotten chicken and mutton, along with 60 tonnes of foul-smelling chicken waste stored in unhygienic conditions intended for hotel supply. Food was reportedly being prepared in unsanitary environments adjacent to dirty toilets, with flies and cockroaches present on the premises.
What Happens Next
The crackdown signals an intensification of food safety enforcement in Hyderabad, with H-FAST continuing field inspections across the city. Authorities have indicated the drive will expand to cover more categories of food businesses, as public complaints continue to fuel actionable intelligence for future raids.
Point of View
Cloth dyes, and rotten raw materials were being processed for open-market sale across 13 establishments simultaneously suggests this was organised, not opportunistic. H-FAST's 140-day tally of 246 tonnes of seized adulterated food points to the scale of what routine inspections were missing before the task force was created. The harder question is whether criminal prosecution alone — without supply-chain traceability mandates and third-party lab testing at source — will deter the next batch of adulterators.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Hyderabad food adulteration raid seize?
The H-FAST team seized 25 tonnes of spices found to contain dangerous chemicals including industrial dyes, cloth dyes, talcum powder, and rice bran oil across 13 establishments in Hyderabad. Three individuals were arrested and three FIRs were registered.
Who was arrested in the Hyderabad spice adulteration case?
Three Hyderabad residents — Rahul Bhati, Vishal Panwar, and Dulichand Kachhawar — were arrested in connection with the cases registered across three police stations.
What harmful substances were found in the adulterated spices?
Authorities found Bush synthetic food colours, cloth dyes, industrial-grade permanent colours, talcum powder (shining powder), and rice bran oil being used to adulterate spices including cloves, shahzeera, and ajwain. Some mustard stocks were mixed with fabric dye and talcum powder to artificially boost weight and gloss.
What is H-FAST and what has it achieved since its formation?
H-FAST (Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team) is a unit of the Police Commissioner's Task Force formed to combat food adulteration in Hyderabad. Within 140 days of its establishment, it has conducted 659 raids, registered 202 FIRs, and seized nearly 246 tonnes of adulterated food across the city.
Were other food items besides spices found to be adulterated?
Yes. Over 27 tonnes of ginger-garlic paste adulterated with titanium oxide (a paint chemical) and acetic acid were seized from 32 centres. Additionally, more than 12 tonnes of rotten chicken and mutton and 60 tonnes of foul-smelling chicken waste intended for hotel supply were also confiscated.
