Rat faeces and filth found in Telangana spice units

Inspections of over 30 spice manufacturing and repacking units in Telangana revealed rodent infestation, unhygienic conditions, unlabelled and expired products, including black pepper and bay leaves contaminated with rat faeces. Authorities issued improvement notices and seized affected stocks.

Hyderabad: Inspections by Commissioner of Food Safety as part of Spices Drive in Telangana reported multiple violations under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 (FSSAI Act).

The inspections were in over 30 spice manufacturing and repacking units and over 40 samples of chilli, turmeric, black pepper, coriander , curry leaves powder and bay leaves were lifted and were sent for testing, the Commissioner of Food Safety, said.

Serious violations were detected at Srivari Spices and Foods Ltd., Jalpally, Rangareddy and Divine Spices at Kapila Nagar Colony, Bandlaguda Jagir, Hyderabad. The violations include pest and rodent infestation, poor hygiene, absence of Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) trained supervisor, unlabelled/expired products, and lack of medical fitness records.

Around 15 kg of black pepper and 18 kgs of bay leaves, which were contaminated with rat faeces was sent for analysis. Curry leaf powder was found to be unlabelled and hence seized for violation of Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, Food Safety authorities posted on X.

The inspection teams issued improvement notices to the commercial establishments and contaminated stocks were also seized.