Ahead of festive season, TG SAFE seizes 1,950 kg adulterated pheni worth ₹2.3 lakh in Hyderabad

Ahead of the upcoming Dasara and Diwali festivities, the Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) launched a special enforcement operation in Hyderabad to target manufacturers and retailers of adulterated pheni, khara and other festive food products. Inspections were conducted at 12 manufacturing and retail establishments across the city, including locations in Attapur, Jiyaguda, Charminar, Begum Bazar, Moosarambagh and Badangpet.

During the inspections, 1,950 kg of pheni worth ₹2.30 lakh were seized due to suspected quality issues and violation of labelling regulations. Twelve samples were taken for further testing. The inspectors discovered numerous violations, such as establishments operating under retail licences instead of manufacturing permits, unhygienic conditions, improper food storage, and poor hygiene among workers.

Some food handlers were seen wearing half-sleeved attire without hairnets, and gutka and pan masala residue was found at multiple sites.

Other infractions included storing food directly on the floor without proper coverings, neglecting pest control and maintaining unsanitary records of food handlers, and dealing with housefly infestations. The TG SAFE teams discarded food articles contaminated with extraneous matter, including gutka and pan masala packets. Anjani Foods and Peni Works at Bharath Nagar, Jiyaguda, were ordered to cease operations due to operating without an FSSAI licence and under unhygienic conditions.

In addition to seizing the adulterated pheni, TG SAFE imposed show-cause notices on six establishments and proposed further action, including penalties, against them. Five of the inspected locations had their FSSAI licences suspended, and they were directed to cease operations immediately for the sake of public health.