Crackdown on Food Adulteration Intensifies Across AP: Satyakumar

VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government has stepped up surveillance to curb food adulteration, registering cases and imposing penalties, while intensifying inspections, Health and medical education minister Satyakumar Yadav informed the Assembly on Friday.

Replying to a question raised by MLA Podala Venkata Parthasaradhi during Question Hour, the minister said that food safety officials conduct regular inspections under the Food Safety and Standards Act to prevent the manufacture and sale of substandard food. Strict departmental action is being taken against violators, with criminal cases registered wherever necessary.

By January 2025–26, authorities collected 4,303 samples and registered 233 cases. Penalties amounting to `31.80 lakh were recovered from restaurants and hotels. Recent inspections in Ongole, Rajamahendravaram, and Guntur resulted in the collection of 59 samples from 56 establishments, the filing of 13 cases, and the seizure of 385 kg of food materials. Some outlets were found reusing cooking oil, he said.

The minister cautioned that if food samples are found unsafe, offenders can face up to six months' imprisonment. He also flagged misuse of synthetic colours and stressed the need for public awareness, particularly regarding water quality.

Highlighting infrastructure expansion, the minister said that five new food safety laboratories are being established across the state at a cost of `100 crore, with support from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. A lab in Visakhapatnam is ready and expected to begin testing in two to three months. Facilities are also coming up in Tirupati, Kurnool, Tirumala, and Guntur with advanced equipment.

Satya Kumar Yadav noted that after the bifurcation of the state, the Institute of Preventive Medicine in Hyderabad was formally divided only in 2022. Of 579 vacant posts, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has approved 150 appointments, with recruitment underway.