Hyderabad: 6 April Posted at 4:27 PM IST
Telangana Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha participated in a large-scale Food Safety Awareness Walkathon held in Hyderabad. The event began at Jal Vihar and concluded at the HMDA Grounds near IMAX, drawing participation from nearly 1,000 students and youth.
The walkathon aimed to raise awareness about the importance of safe and hygienic food consumption amid changing lifestyle patterns. Senior officials, including Health Department Principal Secretary Christina Z. Chongthu, Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar, Food Safety Commissioner Sangeeta Satyanarayana, and Hyderabad Collector Harichandana joined the minister during the event.
Addressing the gathering at the conclusion of the walkathon, the minister highlighted the significant shift in dietary habits over recent years. He noted that due to busy lifestyles and rapid urbanization, people are increasingly relying on restaurant food and processed items rather than home-cooked meals.
According to official data, Telangana currently has approximately 1.41 lakh food business establishments, with nearly 80 percent concentrated in urban areas. This reflects the growing demand for ready-to-eat and processed food products.
However, the minister expressed concern over widespread food adulteration and the use of substandard ingredients. He pointed out that essential items such as pulses, sugar, tea, and tamarind are increasingly being adulterated, posing serious health risks to consumers.
Medical experts have linked the consumption of unsafe food to digestive disorders and long-term diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart ailments, kidney issues, and obesity. The rising burden of non-communicable diseases in Hyderabad and across Telangana has been partly attributed to unhealthy eating habits.
To address these challenges, the government has intensified enforcement measures. Over the past two years, more than 11,000 inspections have been conducted, with strict action taken against violators. Hotels and restaurants found using adulterated or low-quality ingredients are facing legal consequences.
The government has also strengthened its food safety infrastructure by appointing 24 new food inspectors and deploying five mobile food testing vehicles. Additionally, plans are underway to establish three regional food testing laboratories in Nizamabad, Hanamkonda, and Mahabubnagar with an estimated cost of ₹15 crore.
The minister emphasized that food safety is a shared responsibility involving the government, food businesses, and consumers. He reiterated the state’s commitment to ensuring access to safe, clean, and quality food for all citizens while promoting responsible growth in the food industry.
The event concluded with a call to adopt the message “Eat Right – Stay Healthy” and work collectively towards building a healthier Telangana.
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