Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

3 lorry loads of mangoes seized from market

SWIFT OPERATION:Corporation employees seizing mangoes that were being ripened using calcium carbide stones from a shop at the Gandhi Market in Tiruchi on Friday under the supervision of T.Veeramani (left), District Supplies and Consumer Protection Officer, and K.C.Cheran (second from left), City Health Officer.

TIRUCHI: Three lorry-loads of mangoes, being ripened using calcium carbide stones, a chemical substance, were seized from fruit dealers at the Gandhi Market here on Friday during a special drive conducted by the officials of Corporation Health Wing and Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection.

The seizures were made by the official team when they conducted surprise inspections at the shops and godowns of fruit dealers at the Gandhi Market, a major market from where a large number of retail vendors of Tiruchi region procure fruits.

While several shops and godowns were inspected, officials found mangoes being ripened in at least five of them. One of the dealers, on seeing the officials ran away after closing his shop. The shop, with a stock of mangoes, was sealed by officials.

Three lorry-loads of mangoes, valued at around Rs.1 lakh, were seized from the other shops. The fruits were later transported to the Corporation garbage dump and destroyed, K.C. Cheran, City Health Officer, told ‘The Hindu.' The operation was supervised by Dr. Cheran and T.Veeramani, District Supplies and Consumer Protection Officer.

The surprise inspections come as part of a drive taken up by the Health officials in the city over the past couple of days in various manufacturing and retail outlets of food products.

Meanwhile, Collector T. Soundiah has issued a warning to retail/wholesale dealers and manufacturers against selling expired packaged food products. In a press release, he has warned of legal action against those found selling food products in packets without mentioning the manufacturing date and the expiry period. Under Rule 5 of the Packaged Commodities (Regulation) Order, 1975, sale of packaged commodities without details such as date of manufacturing, maximum retail price, producer's name and address has been banned.

Packaged commodities should be removed from the shops or godowns and destroyed after the date of expiry. Severe action would be taken under Section 273 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 7 of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954, if any trader or retailer failed to remove and destroy the expired products from their shops/godowns or was found selling the expired goods.

Members of the public can lodge complaints, if any in this regard, to the State Consumer Helpline over the telephone at 044 28592828 or email: www.consumer.tn.gov.in

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Campaign organised against plastic products
Suspension revoked
“State gives priority to traders' welfare”
University team to prepare report
BHEL despatches boiler upper drum to refinery in Punjab
Fake notes seized, five arrested
Nominations invited for award
3 lorry loads of mangoes seized from market
Chance to get right guidance
Adequate stock of wheat available
List of eligible candidates
Mock drill to check preparedness
Rise in prices of commodities flayed
In Tiruchi Today

Copyright © 2010, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu