Food safety teams seize Rs 7.19 lakh worth of products in Hyderabad dairy raids

A food safety drive in Hyderabad led to the suspension of licences of three dairy units after officials found hygiene and alleged adulteration violations. Enforcement teams inspected 14 establishments, seized products worth Rs 7.19 lakh and collected 21 samples for testing

Hyderabad: A special food safety drive across the city has uncovered serious hygiene and alleged adulteration violations at several dairy and paneer manufacturing units, leading authorities to suspend the food licences of three establishments.

The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) deployed 12 enforcement teams that inspected 14 dairy manufacturing and retail units.

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During the operation, officials seized food products and materials worth Rs 7.19 lakh and collected 21 samples for laboratory testing.

Among the major seizures were nearly one tonne of palm oil, 476 kg of glycerol monostearate, 150 kg of skimmed milk powder and 1,760 packs of cooking cream.

Officials reportedly found the palm oil and glycerol monostearate being used in the preparation of paneer substitutes.

The three units ordered to stop operations were Laxmi Foods in Gagan Pahad, Dhana Lakshmi Dairy Products in Mailardevpally and Natraj Milk and Milk Food Products in Alwal.

At Laxmi Foods, inspectors reportedly found cockroach infestation, poorly maintained milk containers, improper storage and 600 litres of loose palm oil. Dhana Lakshmi Dairy Products was found with blocked drains, foul smell, house flies and poor hygiene, besides 195 litres of loose palm oil.

At Natraj Milk & Milk Food Products, officials reported highly unhygienic premises, including dampness, moss and mould growth, along with the alleged unauthorised use of glycerol monostearate in paneer production.

Officials also found lapses at other establishments.

Geetha Dairy in Nadergul and NARMUL (Mother Dairy) are set to receive show-cause notices, while Sri Mahalaxmi Kendra in Khanapur and Anitha Dairy in Hayathnagar will be issued improvement notices.

Authorities said further action, including penalties, would follow based on laboratory results, compliance inspections and the responses to the notices.