Expired Spices With Rat Faeces Seized in Hyderabad
The Telangana Commissioner of Food Safety has seized large quantities of expired and contaminated spices, including chilli and turmeric powder, infested with rat faeces from spice manufacturing and repacking units in Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts. The drive was part of the state’s ongoing Spices Drive initiative aimed at ensuring the production of clean and safe spices across Telangana.
Massive Food Safety Inspections Across Hyderabad and Rangareddy
As part of this large-scale inspection, food safety officials visited more than 30 spice manufacturing and repackaging facilities in both Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts.
During the operation, they collected over 40 samples of commonly used spices such as chilli, turmeric, black pepper, coriander, curry leaf powder, and bay leaves for detailed laboratory analysis.
These samples were taken to test for quality, contamination, and compliance with the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020.
Serious Violations Found at Two Spice Units
According to the Commissioner of Food Safety, two major facilities, Srivari Spices & Foods Ltd (Jalpally, Rangareddy) and Divine Spices (Kapila Nagar Colony, Bandlaguda Jagir, Hyderabad), were found violating multiple food safety norms.
Inspectors discovered alarming issues such as:
- Rodent and pest infestations
- Unhygienic manufacturing conditions
- Unlabelled and expired spice products
- Absence of FoSTaC-trained supervisors
- Lack of employee medical fitness certificates
Contaminated Stocks Seized for Laboratory Testing
During the Hyderabad food hygiene scare inspection, authorities seized 15 kilograms of black pepper and 18 kilograms of bay leaves found to be contaminated with rat faeces.
In addition, unlabelled curry leaf powder was confiscated for breaching labelling regulations.
All contaminated and expired stocks have been sent for laboratory testing to confirm the presence of harmful pathogens or toxins that could pose serious health risks if consumed.
Enforcement Action and Public Health Assurance
Following the discovery, the Telangana Food Safety Department issued multiple improvement notices to the violating units.
Strict enforcement action has also been initiated to ensure immediate compliance and prevent such lapses in the future.
Officials reaffirmed their commitment to upholding food safety standards and protecting public health, stating that similar inspections will continue across all districts in Telangana.
Conclusion
This Hyderabad Food Hygiene Scare highlights the urgent need for stringent hygiene practices in food manufacturing.
Contaminated spices not only affect the quality and taste of food but can also cause gastrointestinal infections, food poisoning, and other serious health issues if consumed over time.
Consumers are advised to buy spices from trusted brands, check expiry labels carefully, and report any suspected unhygienic or mislabelled products to local food safety authorities.
The Telangana Food Safety Department’s swift action during this Hyderabad Food Hygiene Scare serves as a strong reminder that food hygiene and public safety go hand in hand. Regular inspections and responsible manufacturing are crucial to ensuring that the spices reaching households are clean, safe, and fit for consumption.
Source:Â Inputs from various media SourcesÂ
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
- Health News and Updates,People Forum
- 15 October 2025
- 13:00
