Two mango godowns locked and sealed near Rajapalayam
Another godown was sealed as the owner was not present to open it for inspection.
A team of officials led by Virudhunagar District Food Safety Designated Officer S. Mariappan conducted inspection at the two godowns on Rajamani Nadar Street.
The officials, including Food Safety Officer Veeramuthu and from the Labour Welfare Department, found that one of the godowns did not possess FSSAI licence. Besides, the godown had not used ethylene gas chamber, the permitted procedure for artificial ripening of mangoes. Instead, it was directly sprayed on the mangoes, which was against the established procedure for artificial ripening.
The officials seized 890 kg of mangoes and samples were taken for analysis in the laboratory. Since the godown did not have licence, it was locked and the officials began an inquiry into the issue. Based on the outcome of the laboratory test, further action would be taken.
When the officials went to the other godown, the owner did not turn up to facilitate inspection. The godown was sealed under the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Rules 2011. The order of closure was pasted on its door. After the godown owner appeared before the officials, it would be opened for inspection and samples would be lifted from the premises and further order would be issued to reopen it.
Traders can use ethylene gas chambers to artificially ripen the mangoes or use ethylene cylinders for the purpose.
A statement said traders involved in food business such as vegetables, fruits, mango godowns and temporary eateries should get licence/registration certificate under Food Safety and Standard Rules 2011 through https://foscos.fssai.gov.in
Units operating without the license would be closed and cases would be booked under the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. People can lodge complaints against quality of food over 94440-42322, State WhatsApp complaint number or over https://foodsafety.tn.gov.in or using TN Food Safety app.
The details of the complainant would be kept confidential.
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