Massive Chilli Powder Adulteration Racket Busted in Warangal

WARANGAL: Food safety and police authorities have uncovered a large-scale adulteration racket involving chilli powder production in the erstwhile Warangal district following raids near the Enumamula Agriculture Market.

The inspections, carried out over three days, found traders allegedly producing sub-standard chilli powder by grinding low-quality and damaged chillies, including stems and stalks, to increase volume and margins. Officials said the activity intensified during the summer season when households purchase spices in bulk.

The crackdown targeted units operated under the names Hemasri, Lakshmi Sai and Aparna. At the Hemasri unit, officials seized 105 bags of sub-standard chillies and 3,000 kg of processed powder, while 70 bags were confiscated from Lakshmi Sai.

Investigators said the adulterated powder was being supplied both locally and to larger companies, which then packaged it under their own labels.

Warangal food inspector Krishnamurthy, who led the drive, said the department was focusing on illegal practices affecting public health. He said that they had uncovered a trend where traders are playing with people's lives for easy money. The seized samples have been sent to the state food laboratory in Hyderabad, and action will follow based on the findings, he said.

Medical experts cautioned that consumption of such adulterated spices could lead to digestive and respiratory issues and long-term health effects.

Juvvadi Suresh, inspector of Enumamula, said a case has been registered and further investigation is under way to trace the supply chain. He said that they caught the gang red-handed using useless chili waste. This is a serious crime against public health and the investigation will continue until the entire supply chain is exposed, he added.