Hyderabad: Adulterated Tea Powder Manufacturing Unit Busted
The Hyderabad Commissioner’s Task Force, South West Zone team, along with GHMC’s food safety officers, raided a tea powder manufacturing unit in Chandanagar on Monday. During the operation, they apprehended a man involved in adulterating tea powder and confiscated materials worth Rs 1.20 lakh.
The accused, identified as 46-year-old D. Chandra Shekar, was manufacturing and supplying adulterated tea powder. Authorities seized 130 kilograms of adulterated tea powder packets, 35 kilograms of loose tea powder, 500 grams of Idacol sunset yellow color, 500 grams of Neelikon color, and 1200 milliliters of cardamom super flavor from the unit.
According to the police, Chandra Shekar was mixing harmful artificial colors like Idacol sunset yellow and Neelikon into the tea powder to make it appear premium. He also added cardamom super flavor to enhance the aroma of the tea. Shockingly, this was done without a valid license and in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations.
Ande Srinivasa Rao, Additional DCP of the Task Force, stated, “The accused supplied this adulterated tea powder in various areas, including Mehdipatnam, Tolichowki, Golconda, Kukatpally, Gachibowli, Tellapur, Patancheru, and Lingampally. He endangered public health for his personal profit.”
Police warned that consuming such unbranded and adulterated tea powder could lead to serious health issues. Acting on information, the Task Force and GHMC food safety officers conducted the raid and seized the adulterated products. The total value of the seized items is estimated at Rs 1.20 lakh.
