Surge in urban food establishments in Telangana exploited through widespread adulteration: Health Minister

Telangana currently has around 1.41 lakh food business entities, with nearly 80% concentrated in urban areas including Hyderabad, reflecting the growing demand for ready-to-eat and processed food.

However, this surge is being exploited through widespread adulteration and the use of substandard ingredients, Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha cautioned.

The Minister was speaking after flagging off a Food Safety Awareness Walkathon at Jalavihar in Hyderabad on Monday (April 6, 2026) which saw participation from around 1,000 students and youth. Highlighting changing consumption patterns, the Minister said rapid urbanisation and busy lifestyles have led to a decline in home-cooked meals, resulting in increased dependence on restaurants and processed food. “This shift has significantly expanded the food industry, but has also created opportunities for malpractice,” he added.

He noted that adulteration now affects a wide range of essential food items, including salt, pulses, tamarind, sugar, and tea leaves. In addition, some food establishments are using inferior oils and low-quality ingredients, posing serious health risks to consumers.

“Consumption of such food is contributing to gastrointestinal disorders in the short term and increasing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, kidney ailments, and obesity over time. Unhealthy dietary habits are a major driver of the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in Telangana, including in Hyderabad,” he added.

Highlighting the government’s response, the Minister said a stringent enforcement approach is being adopted. Over the past two years, more than 11,000 inspections were conducted in coordination with the Food Safety and Police Departments, with strict action taken against violators. Legal proceedings are being initiated against hotels and restaurants found using adulterated or substandard ingredients.

He said inspections would be intensified further, with no compromise on food safety. To strengthen enforcement, the government has appointed 24 new food inspectors and deployed five mobile food testing vehicles.

In addition, three new regional food testing laboratories will be established in Nizamabad, Hanumakonda, and Mahabubnagar at a cost of ₹15 crore to improve testing capacity. Following a scientific study, the government is also considering stringent legal measures, including invoking the Preventive Detention Act against those involved in food adulteration, Mr. Raja Narsimha said.