Hyderabad Food Safety Raid: H-FAST Team Busts Illegal Chocolate Unit, Seizes 200 Kg Caramel Chocolate and Expired Ingredients

In a major food safety enforcement action, the H-FAST Team, Hyderabad City, in coordination with the Food Safety Officer (FSO) and Habeebnagar Police, conducted a raid at Vignette Food Specialities Pvt. Ltd., located at H. No. 11-1-940/1/2, Seetarambagh, Old Mallepally, Hyderabad. During the raid, officials apprehended Konda Karthik for allegedly manufacturing, repacking, and selling chocolate products in violation of food safety regulations for wrongful financial gain. A case has been registered as FIR No. 145/2026 under Sections 318(4) and 275 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the investigation is ongoing.

H-FAST Team Conducts Raid at Vignette Food Specialities Pvt. Ltd.

Acting on credible information, the H-FAST Team under the leadership of:

• Sri P. Krishnaiah, SI
• Sri Abhilash, SI
• Sri V. Shankar, SI

along with H-FAST staff, coordinated with Food Safety Officer Sameena Begum, Hyderabad, and local police from Habeebnagar Police Station to conduct the raid.

The inspection was carried out at Vignette Food Specialities Pvt. Ltd., H. No. 11-1-940/1/2, Seetarambagh, Old Mallepally, Hyderabad.

Accused Identified

The accused was identified as:

Konda Karthik
S/o Prakash Murthy
Occupation: Business
Address: H. No. 11-1-940/1/2, Seetarambagh, Old Mallepally, Hyderabad

Violations Detected During Inspection

According to officials, the inspection revealed that the accused was manufacturing, repacking, and marketing chocolate products in violation of food safety regulations.

The following violations were found:

• Packed chocolate products were found without proper declaration of manufacturing dates.
• Batch numbers were not mentioned on labels.
• Expiry dates were missing.
• Best-before dates were not displayed.
• Flavours and essences suspected to be beyond their expiry period were stored at the premises.
• The suspected expired ingredients were allegedly being used in the manufacturing process.
• Various colouring agents and powders used in chocolate preparation were found stored at the unit.
• Products were being packed and marketed using old FSSAI Licence No. 2011403300519 details.
• The establishment possessed FSSAI Licence No. 13622011001557 for manufacturing activities.
• Pest control records were not maintained.
• Medical fitness certificates for food handlers and staff were absent.

Officials stated that by repacking and selling chocolate products without mandatory labeling particulars and by allegedly using expired ingredients, the accused was endangering public health and violating food safety standards.

Property Seized During the Raid

The following items were seized:

1. Caramel Chocolate – 20 Boxes (Each box weighing 10 Kgs) – Total 200 Kgs
2. Choco Balls – 02 Cartons – Total 20 Kgs
3. Chocolate Sticks – 03 Cartons
4. Marshmellon and Jujubi – 40 Boxes
5. Cranberry Chocolates – 32 Pieces
6. Paan Chocolates – 22 Pieces
7. Cashew Chocolates – 18 Pieces
8. Panning Machine (04) and Chocolate Melting Machine (02)

Expired Flavours and Essences Seized

Officials also seized flavours and essences suspected to be expired, including:

• Bubble Gum
• Corn Syrup
• Chocolate and Cream Soluble Colour
• Rose White
• Meetha Pan Colour
• Peppermint Booster
• Orange Oil Sweet
• Strawberry
• Peppermint
• Orange
• Mango
• Bubble Gum
• Vanilla
• Litchi
• Chilli
• Violet
• Pink
• Red
• Pine Apple
• Yellow Grey
• Green
• Blue
• French Biscuits
• Micks
• Pancake Syrup

FIR Registered, Investigation Underway

The H-FAST team seized the products, expired flavours, and other relevant material from the premises.

The accused, along with the seized property, was handed over to the Station House Officer (SHO), Habeeb Nagar Police Station, for further legal action.

Police registered FIR in Crime No. 145/2026 under:

• Section 318(4), BNS
• Section 275, BNS

The case is currently under investigation.

Joint Operation Conducted Under DCP Task Force Supervision

The operation was jointly conducted by:

• H-FAST Team, Hyderabad
• Habeebnagar Police
• Food Safety Officer (FSO)

The raid was carried out under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Task Force, Hyderabad.

The press note was issued by the Inspector of Police, H-FAST, Hyderabad.

In a significant food safety raid in Hyderabad, the H-FAST Team, Food Safety Officer Sameena Begum, and Habeebnagar Police apprehended Konda Karthik at Vignette Food Specialities Pvt. Ltd. in Seetarambagh, Old Mallepally. Officials alleged that chocolate products were being manufactured, repacked, and sold in violation of food safety regulations, including the alleged use of expired ingredients and improper labeling. A total of 200 kg of caramel chocolate, other products, machinery, and suspected expired flavours were seized. FIR No. 145/2026 has been registered under Sections 318(4) and 275 of the BNS, and the investigation is ongoing.

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