TG SAFE has been actively inspecting food and pharmacy establishments to check for safety compliance
In the recent drive, 46 establishments were inspected. The licences of four establishments were suspended for serious violations, and more than 19 tonnes of material were seized. Since January 2025, 115 medicines have been detected as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ).
We conduct regular drives to ascertain the quality of food products and check for adulteration. Since the formation of TG SAFE in August, special drives have been conducted on manufacturing and retailers of sweets, khoya, paneer and other dairy products. Orders have also recently been issued prohibiting the manufacture, storage, transport and sale of analogue paneer in Telangana. Just like food outlets, pharmacies and wholesalers are also inspected. Samples are collected and sent to the Drugs Control Laboratory under TG SAFE, for analysis. Various actions, including prosecution and suspension or cancellation of licences, are taken under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
At present, nearly 500–600 food samples are sent for laboratory testing every month, and we aim to substantially increase this number. TG SAFE has recently been formed by merging the Food Safety Wings of GHMC and the Institute of Preventive Medicine. We are currently assessing the manpower requirements across all wings of the dept and will take up the requirements with the govt. During inspections, Food Safety Officers check overall food hygiene and safety, including the condition of the premises, personal hygiene of food handlers, storage and temperature control, raw materials, cleanliness, pest control labelling and records. The handling and disposal of food waste and leftovers are also covered as part of hygiene and sanitation requirements, particularly to ensure that waste does not contaminate food or create conditions for pest infestation. They should immediately complain to TG SAFE through the channels mentioned in the queries. TG SAFE will have the matter investigated and, if the samples are found to be unsafe, take appropriate action. Punishments are stringent if unsafe food causes people to fall sick.