SFA officials discover contaminated cooking oil being processed at a previously sealed factory in SITE area
An edible oil manufacturing facility in Hyderabad has been found secretly operating despite being sealed earlier for allegedly violating food safety regulations, raising fresh concerns over compliance and public health.
The factory, located in the SITE area of Hyderabad, had previously been sealed by the Sindh Food Authority (SFA) after authorities discovered that edible oil was allegedly being produced using discarded chicken waste.
The facility was recently inspected by the Assistant Commissioner of Latifabad taluka along with officials from the Sindh Food Authority. During the inspection, the team found that the factory had resumed operations after workers allegedly removed the official seal.
According to the Assistant Commissioner, the premises had been sealed by the SFA during an earlier enforcement action. However, workers at the facility reportedly reopened the factory without obtaining authorization from the relevant authorities.
The inspection team also discovered contaminated cooking oil being processed at the facility. Officials immediately took action to prevent the potentially unsafe product from entering the market.
The contaminated cooking oil was discarded by the SFA team in line with the prescribed disposal procedure. Authorities also documented the findings during the inspection to maintain an official record of the violation.
Officials ensured that the contaminated material was removed from the premises and disposed of according to applicable regulations. The action was taken to minimize potential risks to consumers and prevent the distribution of unsafe edible oil.
The latest inspection highlights concerns over the enforcement of food safety measures, particularly when sealed facilities are able to resume operations without regulatory approval.
The incident also underscores the importance of strict monitoring of food manufacturing units, especially those involved in producing products intended for human consumption.
Authorities are expected to take further action against the factory for violating the earlier sealing order and allegedly processing contaminated material. The case could also prompt increased inspections of similar manufacturing facilities operating in Hyderabad.