Vijayawada: With the demand for packaged and processed food products increasing by the day, adulteration of food products has also been on the rise. The series of raids conducted by the vigilance and food safety officials exposed the huge market for adulterated food products in the state. Adulteration of food products has been increasing due to the changing lifestyle of people where more and more individuals are preferring buying instant foods. Taking advantage of the situation, the market for adulterated food products is expanding in cities.

Vijayawada has become a hub for adulteration of oil and ghee products so much so that 20 rackets were busted in the last six months. "Manufacturing adulterated ghee had become an easy process involving nominal machinery and adulterated ghee units were continuing their operations secretly across city and cheaper cost of production and huge margins were reasons for increase in these rackets. Many units were operating without any permissions and we are raiding them with information given by locals," says Regional Food Safety & Standards Authority Official.

Earlier, units involved in adulteration of food products used to operate on the outskirts of the city but now, they have shifted to residential areas in the city to hoodwink the officials. "Adulteration of food is a serious offence which can harm the health of the citizens. Traders greedy of profits adulterate food products and we are keeping strict vigil on such activities.

The city task force is checking these rackets but we cannot know about the illegal activity without the support of the civilians," said city police commissioner D. Gautam Sawang. Citizens can send information about adulteration of food products through 4th Lion mobile application and details of the complainants would kept secret, he added.