H-FAST crackdown exposes sale of adulterated and spoiled meat in Hyderabad

A series of raids by Hyderabad's H-FAST has exposed rackets involving adulterated meat, stale seafood and illegally transported chicken waste. Officials have urged citizens to be cautious while purchasing meat products, warning that such practices pose serious public health risks.

Hyderabad: After fast-moving consumer goods, it is now time for people to be cautious while purchasing meat from stores. The recent crackdown by the Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST) on rackets selling adulterated, spoiled and sub-standard meat should prompt citizens to exercise caution.

In a recent operation, the H-FAST team, along with the local police, raided Osman Meat Shop near Badi Masjid in Mallepally, Habeebnagar. During the raid, officials found that meat being sold as goat meat was allegedly mixed with beef. The stock was seized and samples were sent for laboratory analysis.

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An H-FAST official said, “The inspection was carried out based on specific information. Samples have been collected and sent for testing. Further action will be taken after the report.”

In another operation, the Hyderabad Commissioner’s Task Force (Golconda), in coordination with the Mangalhat police, busted an illegal seafood preservation unit at Tara Fisheries in Machipura Baitak, Mangalhat. Officials seized 100 kg of prawns, 162 kg of fish and chemicals, including sodium bicarbonate and salt, allegedly used for preserving stale seafood. Four persons were arrested.

Earlier, H-FAST teams, along with GHMC officials, intercepted the illegal transport of around 90 tonnes of chicken waste from Hyderabad to other parts of Andhra Pradesh for use as fish feed. Seven trucks were seized during raids across Amberpet, Kulsumpura, Attapur and Rajendranagar.

In another case, H-FAST and the Mangalhat police seized about 12 tonnes of spoiled sheep and goat offal from a facility in Aman Nagar Colony. One person was arrested, while the owner of the unit remained absconding. Officials said the material included various animal organs stored under unhygienic conditions.

Officials from H-FAST said surveillance has been intensified due to the rising demand for processed and frozen meat products. “Some businessmen, in pursuit of easy money, are resorting to unfair practices. We are taking strict action to ensure that people do not fall prey to such cheating, as it directly impacts public health,” an official said.