Hyderabad food safety raids have resulted in the seizure of 1,950 kg of pheni valued at ₹2.30 lakh and the suspension of FSSAI licences of five manufacturing units across the city’s Core Urban Region (CURE), Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) said.
The action followed inspections of 12 establishments involved in manufacturing or selling pheni, khara and related food products. Officials took the seized pheni into custody over labelling violations and concerns about its quality. They also collected 12 food samples for laboratory testing for possible adulteration.
According to TG SAFE, inspectors found several establishments operating with retail-category licences even though they were involved in manufacturing. Other violations included unhygienic production areas, improper food storage, poor personal hygiene among food handlers, housefly infestation and failure to maintain mandatory health and pest-control records.
Some food articles were found contaminated with extraneous matter, including gutka and pan masala packets, and were discarded at the sites. Inspectors also reported food products stored directly on floors without adequate covering and gutka or pan masala spitting stains on premises.
Anjani Foods and Peni Works at Bharathnagar, Jiyaguda, was ordered to stop operations after officials found that it was functioning without an FSSAI licence and under unhygienic conditions. TG SAFE also said showcause notices would be issued to JP Foods at Sri Krishnanagar in Shivrampally, Attapur; Jaipur Jodpur Pheniwala at Madhuban Colony; Ram Niwas Puri Sweet Pheniwala at Mahbubgunj; GM Mixtures at Kolsawadi, Begum Bazaar; Bhagirath Foods at Imampur, Jiyaguda; and Balaji Pheni Udyog at Shalivahananagar, Moosarambagh.
The FSSAI licences of five establishments were suspended, and the units were directed to stop operations immediately in the interest of public health. At Sri Ganesh Khara and Feni in Bharat Nagar Colony, Attapur, inspectors reported food articles exposed to dust and flies, poor personal hygiene, a washroom close to the manufacturing area, greasy and slippery surfaces, and inadequate storage and documentation.
At JP Foods in Imampura, Jiyaguda, officials reported gutka and pan masala chewing and spitting, housefly infestation, poor hygiene, incomplete documentation and repeated use of oil, dalda and vanaspati for frying. Prem Puri Sweet Phani Shop in Petlaburj, Charminar, was found to have an improper licence category along with hygiene and documentation violations.
Inspections at Mahaveer Namkeen in Shanthinagar Colony, Nadergul, found an unhygienic manufacturing area, dirty and greasy surfaces, dirt and soot accumulation, oil deposits, pests including lizards, poor personal hygiene and inadequate records. At GM Mixture in Attapur, officials reported extremely unhygienic premises, dirty and greasy walls and ceilings, open drains, inadequate lighting, improper storage and missing mandatory records.
The samples collected during the inspections will be tested, while the affected establishments face further action under food-safety requirements. TG SAFE’s statement did not provide the laboratory results or specify the duration of the licence suspensions.
