Hyderabad | July 18
In a major move to protect public health, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed officials to draft a stringent law to curb food and drug adulteration, warning that those endangering people's lives through fake and contaminated products will face strict action
. Chairing a high-level review meeting on the proposed Telangana Food Adulteration and Drug Control Act (TGFADCA) at MCRHRD's Bodhi Pavilion, the Chief Minister expressed serious concern over the alarming rise in adulteration of essential food items, vegetables, fruits, milk, and medicines.
"Everyday Food Is Becoming Poison"
The Chief Minister said excessive use of chemicals to preserve leafy vegetables, vegetables, milk, and to artificially ripen fruits is posing a grave threat to public health. He noted that the widespread use of fertilizers and pesticides is leaving dangerous chemical residues in agricultural produce, leading some countries to reject imports from India.
Fake Organic Products Under Scanner
Revanth Reddy also raised concerns over the booming market for so-called "organic" products, stating that consumers are paying premium prices without any reliable mechanism to verify whether the products are genuinely organic. He stressed the need for a robust certification and monitoring system.
Global Study Before Bringing Tough Law
The Chief Minister instructed officials to study anti-adulteration laws and enforcement models in countries with effective food safety systems. Based on these findings, the government will prepare a comprehensive report and draft legislation for discussion in the Telangana Legislative Assembly. Public suggestions will also be invited before the law is finalized.
Whistleblower System, Toll-Free Helpline Planned
To strengthen enforcement, the government plans to introduce a whistleblower mechanism and a dedicated toll-free helpline to encourage citizens to report cases of food and drug adulteration.
Pilot Project to Begin in CURE Area
As part of the implementation strategy, the Chief Minister directed officials to launch a pilot project in the CURE area, where the proposed regulations will be tested before statewide rollout. The government will evaluate challenges during the pilot phase and refine the framework accordingly.
The review meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju, Director General of Police CV Anand, Chief Minister's Advisor and Ex-Officio Special Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao, Principal Secretaries V. Sheshadri and N. Sridhar, along with senior officials from various departments.
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