Man held for adulterated ginger-garlic paste

Hyderabad: A man was arrested after Hyderabad Commissioner’s Task Force officials seized adulterated ginger-garlic paste and raw materials worth about Rs. 2.2 lakh during a raid in Mallepally on Tuesday.

The team confiscated 1,090 kg of adulterated ginger-garlic paste, 875 kg of unhygienic raw ginger and garlic, along with chemicals used for preparation, two grinding machines and a mobile phone. A case was registered at Habib Nagar police station as Crime No. 53/2026 under Sections 318(4) and 275 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The accused was identified as Mohammed Farooq (50), a resident of Aghapura and owner of “Shehzada Food Master,” located near Ghatala Masjid in Afzal Sagar, Mallepally. Acting on credible information, the Task Force (Khairatabad Zone) conducted a surprise inspection at the premises on Tuesday and took him into custody.

Police said the accused was preparing ginger-garlic paste in highly unhygienic conditions by mixing chemicals such as acetic acid, synthetic food colours, gum powder and salt. The paste was stored in open plastic containers, exposing it to dust, flies and other contaminants, making it unsafe for human consumption.

During inquiry, officials found that the adulterated paste was being supplied to wholesale grocery stores, restaurants and catering services in Hyderabad to earn illegal profits. The unit’s FSSAI licence had expired in September 2018. The accused and seized material were handed over to Habib Nagar police for further investigation.