Salem jaggery unit sealed

SALEM: The food safety department officials have sealed a jaggery-manufacturing unit in Salem for preparing adulterated products on Tuesday.
Official sources said on Wednesday that a team led by T. Anuradha, Designated Food Safety Officer, Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration department, inspected a unit and found jaggery being adulterated with sugar and chemical substances. Mass production of jaggery is underway for the coming Pongal festival.  

“As much as 15 tonnes of sugar brought to mix with jaggery was seized and the godown owned by Balaji, 35, was sealed during a surprise inspection.

Adulterated jaggery kept for sale was also seized. So far 11 jaggery manufacturing units were sealed and 22 persons have been booked for adulteration,” Anuradha said.

“People should look for the original dark brown colour jaggery as others may be adulterated with sugar and chemical substances. Also original jaggery pieces will dissolve only in hot water, whereas adulterated jaggery would melt easily in any water instantly,” Anuradha said.

Mass production of jaggery by over 200 farmers is underway in Karuppur, Vellalapatty and Thumbal areas in Salem district for coming Pongal. More than 5,000 workers and traders are dependent on jaggery making directly and indirectly for their livelihood. The jaggery made in Salem is in demand across Tamil Nadu for its unique taste and long shelf life.

However, in the last two years, the traders have begun to adulterate the jaggery with sugar and chemicals hoping to make a quick buck, despite warnings and frequent raids by the Food Safety department.