Four arrested for manufacturing adulterated ginger-garlic paste in Lalapet

Four persons were arrested for allegedly manufacturing adulterated and unhygienic ginger-garlic paste during a raid conducted at a godown in Lalapet by the Commissioner’s Task Force and Lallaguda police.

The accused were identified as 56-year-old Neela Venkateswaralu, owner of Jhansi Ginger and Garlic Paste godown in Lallapet, 46-year-old K. Vinod, supervisor, 23-year-old T. Sathish and 46-year-old M. Shivani, both workers. All four were apprehended during the raid conducted by the Secunderabad Zone Task Force along with the Lallaguda police.

Police said the raid was carried out at the godown located near Janapriya Apartment in Lallapet following credible information that adulterated food products were being manufactured at the premises.

During the search, officials seized about 1,915 kg of ginger garlic paste stored in plastic tubs and boxes of different sizes. The seized material included 18 plastic tubs containing about 45 kg each of ginger garlic paste, 80 boxes of 5 kg each, 300 boxes of 1 kg each, 370 boxes of 500 grams each and 1,320 boxes of 175 grams each. Officials also seized about 30 kg of acetic acid, around 10 kg of xanthan gum, 80 kg of raw ginger and garlic, a grinder and mixing machine, two packing machines, a weighing machine, date stamps and labels used for packaging.

According to the police, the accused were allegedly preparing ginger garlic paste in unhygienic conditions by mixing acetic acid and storing the mixture in plastic tubs for several days before packing it into containers. The products were then labelled with stamps and fake brand markings and supplied to general stores and customers.

Police said the accused were allegedly selling adulterated products to various kirana stores and consumers in order to earn illegal profits.