Hyderabad’s food safety authorities have seized 1,950 kg of pheni worth Rs 2.30 lakh and collected 12 samples for laboratory examination after inspecting 12 pheni and khara manufacturing units in the CURE area ahead of Dasara. The Telangana food safety wing, known as TG SAFE, has urged consumers to exercise caution while buying sweets and traditional snacks during the festive season.
The inspections were conducted on October 8 and resulted in action against several establishments over reported food safety violations, including suspected adulteration, quality concerns and unhygienic preparation conditions. Officials also discarded contaminated food found during the enforcement drive.
Several establishments faced licence suspension, while units operating without valid licences were ordered to shut down, according to the report. The seized pheni was linked to labelling violations and quality concerns. The 12 collected samples will be examined for suspected adulteration, with the report not providing the laboratory results.
In a separate case, officials took action against Balaji Pheni and Namkeen in LB Nagar on September 16 after finding unhygienic food preparation conditions. The enforcement action comes as sweet and snack sales increase ahead of Dasara, when demand for traditional products such as pheni and khara typically rises.
TG SAFE has advised consumers to buy food products only from licensed establishments and to check their freshness and quality before purchase. For packaged products, consumers have been asked to examine the packaging, manufacturing and expiry dates, ingredient details and other mandatory labelling information.
Officials have also warned consumers against buying products that appear discoloured, have an unusual smell or show signs of contamination. They have advised the public to avoid unpackaged snacks sold from premises where food is stored or prepared in unhygienic conditions.
The inspections underline the enforcement challenge created by seasonal spikes in food demand, when manufacturing and retail activity expands across the city. In the cases reported by TG SAFE, action included seizure, sample collection, disposal of contaminated food, licence suspension and closure orders. Further findings will depend on the examination of the collected samples and subsequent action by the food safety authorities.
