Telangana Plans Stringent Law Against Food and Drug Adulteration, Says CM Revanth Reddy

In a major move aimed at safeguarding public health, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed officials to draft a stringent new law to curb the growing problem of food and drug adulteration in Telangana. The decision was taken during a high-level review meeting on the proposed Telangana Food Adulteration and Drug Control Act held at the MCRHRD Bodhi Pavilion in Hyderabad.

Expressing concern over the widespread adulteration of essential commodities, the Chief Minister said the increasing contamination of food products is posing serious health risks to the public. He noted that chemicals are being used indiscriminately to extend the shelf life of vegetables, leafy greens and milk, while artificial substances are often employed to hasten the ripening of fruits.

Revanth Reddy also highlighted the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture, warning that chemical residues remain in crop produce and eventually enter the food chain. He pointed out that concerns over such contamination have even led some countries to reject agricultural imports, underscoring the need for stronger quality-control mechanisms.

The Chief Minister raised concerns about products being marketed as organic , stating that there is currently no reliable system to verify whether such goods genuinely meet organic standards. He stressed that consumers paying premium prices for organic products deserve credible certification and trustworthy quality assurance.

To frame an effective law, officials have been instructed to study countries that have successfully implemented comprehensive anti-adulteration regulations and food safety systems. Based on those findings, a detailed report will be prepared and used to draft the legislation. Revanth Reddy also directed that the proposed bill be placed before the Legislative Assembly for extensive debate and that public opinion be sought before finalisation.

As part of the enforcement strategy, the government plans to establish a whistleblower mechanism and a dedicated toll-free helpline to facilitate reporting of adulteration-related violations. The Chief Minister further ordered the launch of a pilot project in the CURE area , where the proposed measures will be tested before being expanded across Telangana.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju , DGP C.V. Anand , Chief Minister’s Adviser K. Ramakrishna Rao , Principal Secretaries V. Seshadri and N. Sridhar , along with senior officials from various departments.