Hyderabad, April 1 (NationPress) In a significant effort to combat food adulteration, the Hyderabad police have confiscated a substantial quantity of ice and lassi candies contaminated with dangerous chemicals.

The investigation team from the Commissioner’s Taskforce, Golconda Zone, along with local Mehdipatnam officers, conducted a raid at an ice cream establishment in Ahmed Nagar, situated in the First Lancer region. The owner, Syed Musharafuddin, was arrested for producing and distributing ice candies and lassi in unsanitary conditions. The total value of the seized items is estimated at Rs 5.44 lakh.

Authorities reported that the suspect was deliberately incorporating hazardous chemical substances for personal profit.

A total of 92 packets of ice candies were seized, each containing 180 candies, along with 20 packets of lassi candies, each packet housing 210 lassi candies.

Additionally, the police collected 300 glasses of lassi, 15 buckets of curd (with each bucket weighing 10 kg), 50 kg of sugar, a lassi-making machine, eight kg of citric acid, 500 grams of sucrose, and other pertinent materials.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Commissioner’s Task Force, Ande Srinivas Rao, confirmed that a legal case has been filed against the accused at the Mehdipatnam Police Station under sections 274, 275, and 125 of the BNS.

This operation marks the latest in a series of actions taken by the city police to mitigate food adulteration.

The Telangana government has expressed serious concern regarding the surge in food adulteration incidents. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced on March 30 the intention to implement a specialized mechanism to address this issue.

He mentioned that the new system would resemble the recently introduced enforcement models, such as EAGLE and HYDRAA, aimed at combating drug-related issues and lake encroachments, respectively.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C. Sajjanar cautioned that individuals involved in food adulteration would face stringent consequences.

"Food adulteration transcends mere crime; it represents a covert, lethal threat to every household. The products we trust, from the biscuits and ice creams given to our children to staples like ginger-garlic paste, tea powder, milk, and curd, are being poisoned by these wrongdoers. The extent and audacity of these actions are profoundly disturbing," he stated.

The Police Commissioner commended the Chief Minister’s initiative to create a dedicated food safety system.

Sajjanar noted that the Hyderabad Commissionerate has proactively formed the ‘H-FAST’ team, which is rigorously targeting adulteration networks.

"In the past month, we have registered 61 cases, confiscated 15 tonnes of adulterated products, and arrested 64 individuals. We will maintain zero tolerance for those who jeopardize innocent lives for monetary gain. The quest for a society devoid of adulteration and for secure, reliable food will only grow stronger," he added.