TG SAFE Seizes 1,950 Kg Pheni, Suspends License Of Five Units
Officers found several violations during the inspections: TG SAFE
HYDERABAD: The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) has seized 1,950 kg of pheni worth ₹2.30 lakh and suspended FSSAI licences of five manufacturing units following inspections of 12 pheni, khara and related food manufacturing and retail establishments in the Core Urban Region (CURE). The seized pheni was taken into custody over labelling violations and suspicion regarding its quality. Officials also collected 12 food samples from the inspected establishments for testing for possible adulteration.
TG SAFE in a statement said its officers found several violations during the inspections, including establishments operating with retail-category licences despite being involved in manufacturing, unhygienic production areas, improper food storage, lack of personal hygiene among food handlers, housefly infestation and non-maintenance of mandatory health and pest-control records.
In some units, food articles were found contaminated with extraneous matter, including gutka and pan masala packets, and were discarded on the spot. Officials also found food products stored directly on floors without adequate covering and spitting stains of gutka or pan masala on the premises.
Anjani Foods and Peni Works at Bharathnagar, Jiyaguda, was ordered to stop operations after officials found that it was functioning without an FSSAI licence under unhygienic conditions.
Showcause notices were to be issued to six establishments — JP Foods at Sri Krishnanagar, Shivrampally, Attapur; Jaipur Jodpur Pheniwala at Madhuban Colony; Ram Niwas Puri Sweet Pheniwala at Mahbubgunj; GM Mixtures at Kolsawadi, Begum Bazaar; Bhagirath Foods at Imampur, Jiyaguda; and Balaji Pheni Udyog at Shalivahananagar, Moosarambagh.
The FSSAI license of five establishments were suspended and they were directed to stop operations immediately in the interest of public health. The action against Sri Ganesh Khara and Feni, Bharat Nagar Colony, Attapur, followed findings of food articles exposed to dust and flies, poor personal hygiene, a washroom close to the manufacturing area, greasy and slippery manufacturing surfaces, and improper storage and documentation.
At JP Foods, Imampura, Jiyaguda, officials reported gutka and pan masala chewing and spitting, house fly infestation, poor hygiene, inadequate documentation and repeated use of oil, dalda and vanaspati for frying.
Prem Puri Sweet Phani Shop, Petlaburj, Charminar, was found to have an improper licence category, along with hygiene and documentation violations.
At Mahaveer Namkeen, Shanthinagar Colony, Nadergul, officials reported an unhygienic manufacturing area, dirty and greasy surfaces, accumulation of dirt and soot, oil deposits, pests including lizards, poor personal hygiene and inadequate records.
At GM Mixture, Attapur, officials found extremely unhygienic premises, dirty and greasy walls and ceilings, open drains, inadequate lighting, improper storage and non-maintenance of mandatory records.