During a state-wide spice safety drive, over 30 spice manufacturing and repacking units in Telangana were inspected. Authorities seized black pepper and bay leaves contaminated with rat faeces, uncovered rodent infestation and myriad hygiene violations, and issued improvement notices under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Glimpse:
Telangana food safety officials raided over 30 spice manufacturing units under the “Spices Drive” and found major hygiene violations. Contaminated black pepper and bay leaves with rat faeces were seized from factories in Hyderabad, along with evidence of pest infestation, expired or unlabelled products, and poor sanitation. Samples were sent for lab testing, and enforcement notices were issued to the erring units.
Spice lovers, you might want to take a moment before adding that dash of black pepper. Telangana’s food safety machinery just unearthed some disturbing findings in its latest “Spices Drive.” Over thirty spice manufacturing and repacking units were inspected across the state and violations were far more than just minor slips.
Rodent infestation & contamination: Among the worst offenders were black pepper and bay leaves, a combined 33 kg of which were contaminated with rat faeces. These were seized from factories including Srivari Spices & Foods in Jalpally (Rangareddy district) and Divine Spices in Bandlaguda Jagir, Hyderabad.
Expired & unlabelled products: Some spices had passed their use-by dates; others lacked mandatory labelling information as per current food safety rules.
Poor facility hygiene: Lack of medical fitness records for staff, absence of required safety supervision (FoSTaC-trained supervisors), filth, general lapse of basic cleanliness protocols.
What the government is doing:
The affected spices were seized and sent for lab tests to confirm contamination.
Improvement notices have been issued to the offending units.
Enforcement actions under food safety law are being triggered to ensure compliance.
“Fifteen kilos of black pepper and eighteen kilos of bay leaves contaminated with rodent faeces are not just lapses they are red flags about how some spice units are operating, compromising basic public health.”
By
HB Team
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