Telangana SAFE’s Plan
Avinash Mohanty outlines crackdown on food adulteration, backed by technology-led inspections and stronger testing
As Telangana steps up action against food adulteration and spurious products, SAFE Commissioner Avinash Mohanty says the focus is on stronger enforcement, wider compliance and public participation. “The work has just started. There’s actually a lot to do. It’s quite a big field,” says the 2005-batch IPS officer.
Cracking organised adulteration
Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (SAFE) will target organised adulteration and spurious products while urging food businesses to strengthen compliance. “Having all the food business operators self-regulate is the best way. If they self-regulate, it’s good for them and good for the customers,” says Mohanty, whose team will work with industry associations to promote awareness.
Inspections guided by data
SAFE is developing IT-enabled, risk-based inspections to identify high-risk establishments, alongside surprise checks. “We want to identify which establishments are more at risk and go for them instead of randomly going here and there,” Mohanty says. Registration drives, including free registration for street vendors, will widen compliance.
Public participation and tougher action
SAFE is urging consumers to report violations through its helpline, social media and email. “Public participation is very important,” Mohanty says. While minor offences may attract penalties, unsafe-food cases backed by lab reports can lead to prosecution, with repeat offenders risking licence cancellation.
Upgrading food safety testing
SAFE plans to upgrade its Nacharam laboratory and boost testing of food and essential drugs. “Labs are critical for anything, for food safety as well as for drugs,” Mohanty says, underscoring the need for stronger testing infrastructure as the authority builds its enforcement framework.
Avinash Mohanty’s roadmap
Crack adulteration: Target organised networks and spurious products.
Promote compliance: Encourage food businesses to self-regulate.Target high-risk units: Use data-led inspections alongside surprise checks.
Expand registration: Bring more businesses into the regulatory net, with free registration for street vendors.
Enable public reporting: Encourage complaints through helplines, social media and email.
Ensure accountability: Penalise violations, prosecute unsafe-food cases and cancel licences where warranted.
Strengthen testing: Upgrade the Nacharam laboratory and expand its capacity.