Food safety department forms three committees to monitor juice stalls

High demand for cool food items in Erode due to heat waves, with committees monitoring juice shops for safety.

With temperatures exceeding 37 degrees celsius and heat waves prevailing in Erode district for the last three weeks, the demand for cool food items, especially juices, is up. The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has formed three committees to monitor shops selling juices.

The demand for fresh and packaged juices, watermelon, pearl millet porridge, buttermilk, tender coconut, and cold beverages is high as people want to stay hydrated. Temporary juice shops have also come up in many areas.

However, concerns remain regarding fruit mixtures and other juices made with poor quality or rotten fruits, chemicals, contaminated water, and inedible ice. Most shops selling sugarcane juice use ice, yet consumers are often unaware whether it is edible ice or industrial ice manufactured with non-purified water.

J. Thanga Vignesh, Designated Officer of the Food Safety Department, told The Hindu that three committees, each comprising four food safety officers, have been formed to check juice sales across the district. The committees would inspect juice shops, check for the use of sub-standard ingredients or other violations, and issue notices for corrective actions. “We have planned a training programme for juice sellers to educate them on serving quality items,” he said.

The officer added that juices manufactured by cottage industries would also be inspected, and producers would be educated on safe practices. He emphasised that fruits and juices should not be exposed to direct sunlight and urged sellers to register with the department to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Public can report food-related complaints via WhatsApp at 94440 42322, the officer added.