Latest news with #DepartmentofFoodSafety
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- The Hindu
Tenkasi couple held for supplying ‘synthetic' milk produced by use of chemicals
The Food Safety Department officials have unearthed a unit producing 'milk' with chemicals and arrested a couple, who were supplying over 1,000 litres of this harmful product to the hotels, teashops and the public everyday. After four inmates of an old-age home died between Wednesday and Friday due to suspected food poisoning, District Collector A. K. Kamal Kishore instructed the officials attached to the Department of Food Safety and Tenkasi Municipality to organise surprise checks in the restaurants, teashops, snack shops and the milk supplying points. Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police S. Aravind received information that 'milk' was being produced artificially by mixing a few chemicals in a building near Tenkasi police station. The SP instructed the Tenkasi police to raid the spot. When one of the teams raided a building near Tenkasi Police Station on Friday, the officials found Gomathi Shankar of Melapaavoor and his wife Lakshmi artificially synthesizing 'milk' using a few chemicals. They had been supplying over 1,000 litres of milk a day to the public, teashops and a few hotels in and around Tenkasi for more than a year. The team, with the help of the police, nabbed one Muppidathi, also from Melapaavoor, who allegedly supplied the chemicals to the couple for making 'milk'. When the raid was conducted, 300 litres of 'milk' was about to be taken in an autorickshaw to the customers. 'The chemicals used by Gomathi Shankar and Lakshmi for preparing 'milk' can cause serious side-effects if it is consumed everyday for a few months. Since they have supplied this slow poison to the public, teashops and the restaurants, those who had consumed tea and coffee prepared with this 'milk' should consult the doctors and get themselves screened,' said an official attached to the Department of Food Safety. The 'milk' sample has been sent for analysis. Police said the chemically synthesized 'milk' had been sold at a rate of ₹50 a litre to the customers. Since Gomathi Shankar was selling 1,000 litres a day, he was getting a revenue of ₹50,000 a day and making a profit of more than ₹40,000 a day. 'A major portion of the 'milk' synthesized by Gomathi Shankar had been supplied everyday to two teashops in Tenkasi new bus-stand, we came to know during the investigation,' said the police, who are mulling over freezing the bank accounts of Gomathi Shankar and Lakshmi and attaching their properties. 'Since the bank accounts of ganja smugglers and peddlers are frozen besides attaching their properties, we're planning to apply the same procedure to this case also,' said a senior police officer.
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- The Hindu
Food safety officials seize a tonne of artificially-ripened mangoes in Vellore
The Food Safety Division and Health department officials of Vellore Corporation seized one tonne of mangoes that were artificially ripened with chemicals while conducting a surprise inspection at the shops and warehouses in Vellore fruit market on Thursday. Officials of the Department of Food Safety said that more than 30 wholesale mango traders function from the British era wholesale fruit market within the Corporation limits. They buy mangoes from neighbouring farming villages in Ranipet, Tirupattur, Krishnagiri and Tiruvannamalai. 'Traditionally, Vellore is the second biggest wholesale market for mangoes after Salem. Huge quantities of mangoes were traded during the season between April and July,' S. Rajesh, Food Safety Officer (Vellore), told The Hindu. The raid, first in the season, was led by P.K. Kailesh, Designated Officer (DO) in-charge, Department of Food Safety (Vellore), following complaints from consumers that mangoes were being artificially ripened using chemical agents, such as carbide and ethylene. As the ripening of mangoes using chemicals posed potential health risks, the department was prompted to ban their use. 'Some vendors artificially ripen fruits, especially mangoes, as they can sell more stocks in a shorter period before the end of the season. Awareness is being created among wholesale and retail dealers against such methods of ripening of fruits,' said P. Gnanavel, president, Vellore All Traders Association. At present, on an average, Vellore town gets at least 1,000 tonnes of mangoes every day for wholesale and retail sale. After local consumption, most of the stocks get sold to fruit pulp factories in Krishnagiri and Chittoor (A.P.) for making packaged juices and other products.
The Hindu
03-06-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Ernakulam Public Health Committee moots measures to tackle monsoon-related diseases
The Ernakulam Public Health Committee has recommended stringent action as per the provisions of the Kerala Public Health Act in connection with the control measures initiated against the spread of infectious diseases with the onset of the southwest monsoon. A review of the situation pointed out the possibility of a spike in Hepatitis A and dengue cases. The authorities have asked enforcement agencies and local bodies to take action against those responsible for the distribution of contaminated drinking water in tankers. Transporters should possess the required licences/permits from the Department of Food Safety and other related departments. The committee stressed the need to create awareness among the public to keep their premises clean and avoid situation that may result in an increase in infectious diseases. People living in flood-hit regions and involved in relief and clean-up operations should take doxycycline tablets as a preventive measure based on health workers' advice. Those working in waterlogged areas should also take the medicine, besides taking proper safety measures to avoid infection, according to the health authorities. With the increase in COVID-19 cases, the public can adopt preventive measures including wearing masks and avoiding interaction with others after developing symptoms. Local bodies have also been told to ensure that water sources, including wells in apartment complexes and houses, are chlorinated at regular intervals. Forest department officials said that the school authorities in the district may download the SARPA mobile app to get the contact details of volunteers who have been trained in snake rescue operations. The suggestion was made considering the possibility of snakes entering campuses in the rainy season.
