Introduction

Police and food safety officials in Hyderabad confiscated 300 kg of tea powder mixed with coconut shell powder in a major case of food safety violation. They found that vendors sold inferior quality tea powder for ₹80 to ₹100 per kilogram, combining it with coconut shell powder, toxic chemical essences, and artificial flavouring. Retailers sold the tainted tea powder for ₹200 to ₹250 per kilogram.

The Task Force Teams from Telangana’s Commissioner of Food Safety, along with the Central Zone Task Force of Hyderabad City Police, raided Fateh Nagar and uncovered a massive tea adulteration scheme. They arrested three individuals, including the owner of the wholesale shop.

Report

The authorities raided M/s Konark Tea on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, after receiving a tip-off about the dangerous practices. They discovered that the shop mixed loose tea powder with harmful substances and supplied it to tea stalls across the city.

Bishoya Jagannath, the owner of “Konark Tea Powder Sales & Suppliers,” bought low-grade tea powder from market vendors at ₹80 to ₹100 per kilogram. To increase profits, he blended the tea powder with coconut shell powder and toxic chemical essences, along with artificial flavouring. The police identified him as a repeat offender, selling the contaminated tea powder for ₹200 to ₹250 per kilogram, thus earning illegal profits.

During the examination, authorities seized 300 kilograms of loose tea powder, 200 kilograms of coconut shell powder, and five kilograms each of non-food-grade red and orange colours. They also found artificial chocolate, cardamom, and milk flavours on the premises.

An official from the food safety department explained that the shop mixed these ingredients with tea powder before packaging and distributing them for public consumption.

Repeated Offenders

The police reported that Bishoya enlisted two partners, Pratap Pradan and Sivswain Parida, from Odisha to manufacture and sell the contaminated tea powder. Together, they produced the tainted tea at their warehouse and distributed it across Hyderabad. Bishoya has faced arrest in three prior cases of food adulteration.

Source: The Hindu