Substandard pheni manufacturing unit busted in Jiyaguda, one held

Hyderabad police bust substandard pheni manufacturing unit in Jiyaguda, arresting one and seizing goods worth ₹3.98 lakh.

The Golconda Zone Task Force, along with the Kulsumpura police, raided a warehouse in Jiyaguda and apprehended one person for allegedly manufacturing substandard pheni (dry vermicelli) and related food products in unhygienic conditions. Property worth ₹3,98,590 was seized during the operation.

The accused has been identified as Dhanraj Puri, 36, a resident of Gowliguda, who was operating under the name “JB Foods” near the double bedroom houses in Jiyaguda.

According to the police, acting on a tip off, the team raided the warehouse and found that pheni was being prepared using low quality refined flour and vanaspati without adhering to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines. The products were allegedly being supplied to local stores.

Officials said the manufacturing process was carried out without necessary precautions and in unhygienic conditions, posing a potential risk to public health.

The seized items include 20 kg of substandard pheni in six boxes, 400 kg packed in 16 boxes, 5 kg in one box, 150 kg loose stock, and 80 kg in 16 boxes of loose bowls. In addition, 950 kg of refined flour in 19 bags, 810 kg of vanaspati in 54 boxes, 690 kg of a different brand vanaspati in 46 boxes, 180 kg of loose ghee mixture, one dough mixer machine, two weighing machines and 19 partially used gas cylinders were seized.

A case has been registered at Kulsumpura police and further investigation is underway.