How H-FAST is Cleaning Up Our Kitchens
Hyderabad, March 20, 2026 – We’ve all heard the rumors, but this week, the reality hit closer to home than many expected. If you’ve enjoyed a plate of paneer butter masala or a spicy pickle with your meal recently, you might want to know about the massive crackdown happening right now across the city.
In a move that’s sending shockwaves through the local food industry, the Hyderabad City Police have officially declared a “zero-tolerance” war on food adulteration.
The Birth of H-FAST
On Thursday, March 19, the city saw the launch of a new elite unit: the Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST). Operating under the direct leadership of Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar, this 28-member squad isn’t just about routine checks—they are an intelligence-driven force designed to sniff out illegal manufacturing units hiding in plain sight.
A Week of High-Stakes Raids
The launch follows a series of stomach-turning discoveries by the Commissioner’s Task Force and GHMC officials:
- The Secunderabad Dairy Bust: Sleuths from the Khairatabad Zone raided six wholesale and retail stores near Ganj Bazar. The result? Six arrests and the seizure of massive quantities of unhygienic paneer and dairy products sourced from unknown, “ghost” suppliers. These products were being funneled directly into local hotels and catering services.
- The Jiyaguda Pickle Factory: Over in Jiyaguda, the Kulsumpura Police dismantled a clandestine pickle unit. Two individuals were caught red-handed preparing adulterated pickles in filthy conditions without a single shred of licensing.
- The Ginger-Garlic Scandal: Earlier this month, authorities seized nearly 2,000 kg of ginger-garlic paste mixed with hazardous chemicals like titanium dioxide and synthetic colors.
Why This Matters to You
Food adulteration isn’t just a “business crime”—it’s a direct threat to public health. When industrial chemicals are used to make paneer look whiter or pickles last longer, the long-term health consequences for citizens are devastating.
As DCP Task Force Gaikwad Vaibhav Raghunath noted during the inauguration, H-FAST is designed to be the “teeth” of food safety enforcement, ensuring that those who profit from poisoning the public face the full weight of the law.
How You Can Help
The police can’t be in every kitchen, but you can be their eyes and ears. The department has launched a dedicated toll-free number and social media channels for citizens to report suspicious food units or foul-smelling products.
📢 Report Food Adulteration:
- Toll-Free Number: 8712661212
- Action: You can also reach out via H-FAST’s official X (Twitter) and Instagram handles.
Hyderabad is a city that lives for its food. With the arrival of H-FAST, we might finally be able to ensure that the food we love is as safe as it is delicious.
