Food Safety Department officials conducted raids on pani puri stalls across Coimbatore, seizing adulterated food items and issuing notices. The action aims to prevent the spread of cancer-causing substances in fast food.
Coimbatore: The Tamil Nadu Food Safety Department has launched a massive crackdown on pani puri vendors and fast food stalls in Coimbatore, following concerns about the potential spread of cancer-causing substances in these popular street foods.
Under the direction of the District Collector and as per the orders of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety Department, District Designated Officer Tamilselvan led the operation. Ten teams of food safety officers were deployed across various areas of Coimbatore city and surrounding regions.
The raids covered numerous locations including Gandhipuram, VOC Park, Gandhi Park, R.S. Puram, Peelamedu, Singanallur, Ganapathy, Saibaba Colony, Saravanampatti, Vadavalli, Town Hall, Ramanathapuram, Ukkadam, Sundarapuram, and Kuniyamuthur. The operation also extended to areas like Kinathukadavu, Thondamuthur, Madukkarai, Valparai, Mettupalayam, Annur, and Periyanaickenpalayam.
During the inspections, officials scrutinized 73 shops, resulting in notices being issued to 16 establishments. Four food samples were collected for further analysis. Additionally, six shops were fined a total of Rs. 12,000 for using banned plastic items.
The raid uncovered several alarming findings. Officials confiscated 65 liters of pani puri masala with excessive coloring, 57 kg of substandard potato mushrooms, 5 kg of potato masala, and 19 kg of various adulterated food items. They also seized 15 kg of food products including heavily colored Chicken 65 and mushroom masala. Shockingly, some vendors were found serving bajji and bonda wrapped in newspapers.
The total value of the seized items is estimated at Rs. 28,200. Four food samples have been sent to the food analysis laboratory for testing. Food Safety Department officials have warned that appropriate action will be taken against manufacturers and sellers based on the laboratory report results.
This crackdown highlights the urgent need for stricter food safety measures and increased awareness about the health risks associated with adulterated street food in Coimbatore.
Under the direction of the District Collector and as per the orders of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety Department, District Designated Officer Tamilselvan led the operation. Ten teams of food safety officers were deployed across various areas of Coimbatore city and surrounding regions.
The raids covered numerous locations including Gandhipuram, VOC Park, Gandhi Park, R.S. Puram, Peelamedu, Singanallur, Ganapathy, Saibaba Colony, Saravanampatti, Vadavalli, Town Hall, Ramanathapuram, Ukkadam, Sundarapuram, and Kuniyamuthur. The operation also extended to areas like Kinathukadavu, Thondamuthur, Madukkarai, Valparai, Mettupalayam, Annur, and Periyanaickenpalayam.
During the inspections, officials scrutinized 73 shops, resulting in notices being issued to 16 establishments. Four food samples were collected for further analysis. Additionally, six shops were fined a total of Rs. 12,000 for using banned plastic items.
The raid uncovered several alarming findings. Officials confiscated 65 liters of pani puri masala with excessive coloring, 57 kg of substandard potato mushrooms, 5 kg of potato masala, and 19 kg of various adulterated food items. They also seized 15 kg of food products including heavily colored Chicken 65 and mushroom masala. Shockingly, some vendors were found serving bajji and bonda wrapped in newspapers.
The total value of the seized items is estimated at Rs. 28,200. Four food samples have been sent to the food analysis laboratory for testing. Food Safety Department officials have warned that appropriate action will be taken against manufacturers and sellers based on the laboratory report results.
This crackdown highlights the urgent need for stricter food safety measures and increased awareness about the health risks associated with adulterated street food in Coimbatore.