Coimbatore: Food Safety department officials are actively addressing concerns of adulteration in jaggery as the Pongal festival approaches, reported DTNext.
Over the past few days, authorities have confiscated a significant 56 tonnes of sugar and various chemicals intended for adulterating jaggery.
Under the leadership of R Kathiravan, the designated Food Safety Officer from the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department in Salem, a team conducted surprise inspections at manufacturing units, successfully seizing the adulterants. In a recent raid, 63 bags of sugar valued at around Rs 1,26,000 were confiscated from a manufacturing unit, alongside over one tonne of adulterated jaggery. Samples of the adulterated jaggery have been dispatched to Kamalapuram for laboratory testing to determine further action.
In another enforcement action, officials seized 800 sacks of sugar, amounting to Rs 16 lakh, from an individual supplying sugar to manufacturing units for adulteration. Additionally, 250 kg of sugar was confiscated from another unit. Cumulatively, the authorities claimed to have seized 56 tonnes of sugar in Salem.
Amidst these crackdowns, Kathiravan issued a stern warning of strict action against any reported cases of adulteration. The jaggery-making industry in Salem supports the livelihoods of thousands of workers directly or indirectly, with the jaggery produced in the region gaining high esteem for its taste and extended shelf life.
Expressing concern, an official from the food safety department remarked, “Traders have begun to adulterate jaggery with sugar and chemicals in the hopes of making quick profits. Consumers should look for the original dark brown color, as others may be adulterated with sugar and chemical substances. Additionally, authentic jaggery takes time to dissolve, whereas adulterated versions tend to melt away quickly.”
