2 hrs ago

Telangana SAFE Expands Fight Against Food Adulteration and Spurious Products

Telangana’s food safety authority is starting a bigger campaign against unsafe and fake food products.

It wants to find businesses that are more likely to break food safety rules.

Inspectors will use data and surprise visits to check these places.

Food businesses are being encouraged to follow the rules on their own.

Street vendors will be able to register for free.

People can report possible violations through phone, social media or email.

Small offences may lead to fines.

Serious unsafe-food cases may go to court, and repeat offenders could lose their licences.

SAFE also wants to improve its laboratory so more products can be tested.

Key facts

Authority: Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (SAFE)
Commissioner: Avinash Mohanty, a 2005-batch IPS officer
Primary target: Organised adulteration and spurious products
Inspection model: IT-enabled, risk-based inspections combined with surprise checks
Registration: Registration drives will expand compliance, with free registration for street vendors
Public reporting: Consumers can report violations through helplines, social media and email
Laboratory plan: SAFE plans to upgrade its Nacharam laboratory and increase food and essential-drug testing
Potential penalties: Minor offences may draw penalties; unsafe-food cases may lead to prosecution, while repeat offenders may lose licences

deccanchronicle.com · 3 hrs ago