Hyderabad, April 2, 2026 — In a shocking crackdown on food adulteration and unsafe practices, a joint team of Mangalhat Police, Golconda Zone Task Force, Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST), and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials raided a meat storage unit on April 1, 2026, seizing approximately 14 tonnes of decomposed goat and sheep offals stored in highly unhygienic conditions.

The raid targeted the premises of ‘A to Z Sheep & Goat Offals’ located at RK Pet, near Chisti Chaman Dargah in Mangalhat. The owner, Mohammad Afroz (41), was arrested during the operation. Authorities found large quantities of rotten offals that had been procured cheaply from states including Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, and Maharashtra, and stored for extended periods to be sold as fresh meat to hotels, restaurants, and wedding caterers in the city.

Unhygienic Storage and Cheating Tactics Exposed

According to police, the decomposed meat was kept in deep freezers and plastic tubs filled with stagnant water — a crude method allegedly used to delay visible decomposition and suppress the foul smell. The unit was operating without proper hygiene standards, licences, or adherence to food safety norms, posing a serious threat to public health.

The seized stock has been taken into custody by GHMC officials for safe disposal as per prescribed procedures. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway to trace the supply chain and identify the buyers, including several city hotels and catering establishments that may have been sourcing the contaminated offals.

This is reportedly the third raid on the same unit. Mohammad Afroz had previously been booked and fined by GHMC in a similar offence on March 10, 2026, when around 300 kg of rotten offals were seized from the same location.

H-FAST: Zero Tolerance Against Food Adulteration

The raid is part of intensified efforts under the Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST), a special task force launched about two weeks ago under the direction of Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar. The team was formed in response to rising concerns over adulterated and unsafe food products in the city.

In just one month, H-FAST and related operations have achieved significant results:

• 61 cases registered
• Over 15 tonnes of adulterated and unsafe food items seized
• 64 persons arrested

Recent actions by the team include busting units involved in:

• Manufacturing adulterated ginger-garlic paste using synthetic chemicals and inferior materials
• Producing stale and unhygienic samosas on a large scale
• Supplying fake tea powder and other substandard items

Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar has taken a strong stand, describing food adulteration as “a silent, deadly attack on every household.” He warned that there would be zero tolerance for those who gamble with public health for profit, and assured that the crackdown would continue with full intensity.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has also backed the initiative, emphasising the need for a robust food safety enforcement system in Hyderabad.

Public Health Concerns and Next Steps

The discovery of 14 tonnes of rotten meat has raised serious alarms among Hyderabad residents, especially regarding the quality of meat served in hotels, restaurants, and at weddings and functions. Officials have appealed to the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious food sources.

Investigations are now focusing on mapping the distribution network to ensure that contaminated supplies are fully traced and stopped. Authorities have urged eateries and caterers to strictly verify their suppliers and maintain proper documentation.

This major seizure underscores the critical importance of continuous surveillance and strict enforcement to safeguard the health of citizens in a bustling metropolis like Hyderabad.