Food Safety Department intensifies checks at jaggery manufacturing units in Salem and Namakkal

Food Safety Department intensifies checks at jaggery units in Salem and Namakkal ahead of Pongal, seizing adulterated products.

Officials from the Department of Food Safety have intensified checks at jaggery manufacturing units in Salem and Namakkal districts, ahead of Pongal celebrations.

With jaggery an important ingredient to prepare pongal, the manufacturers in Salem and Namakkal districts scaled up production for the past two weeks. In the absence of sugar mills in Salem, the farmers cultivating sugarcane manufacture jaggery using the produce from their farms. In the Salem district, jaggery manufacturing units are functioning at Karuppur, Omalur, Mecheri, Deevattipatti, Edappadi, and Konganapuram. Likewise in Namakkal district, these units are functioning at Paramathi Velur taluk. 

Officials attached to the Food Safety Department said that though jaggery should be made only using sugarcane juice, some units mix crystal sugar, which is unhealthy. To prevent this adulteration in jaggery, the department carried out checks at the units in both districts for the past two weeks. They seized crystal sugar hidden in the units and adulterated jaggery, the officials said.

Namakkal district designated officer for the Food Safety Department, K.C. Arun, said that 100 licensed jaggery manufacturing units were functioning in the district and the raids are being conducted by five teams formed for the purpose.

During the raid, the officials seized chemicals used to bleach jaggery and 10.90 tonnes of crystal sugar. Samples were collected from 24 units and sent to labs. About 26.43 tonnes of jaggery were also seized on suspicion of adulteration. Based on the sample results, action would be taken against the units, Mr. Arun said.

Salem district designated officer R. Kathiravan said that in Salem district a total of 59 units were inspected and 16 samples were taken. About 9.05 tonnes of crystal white sugar and 550 kg of jaggery were seized. Notice was served on 11 units and cases filed against four units, Mr. Kathiravan said.