Increased Jaggery Production in Salem and Namakkal

The Department of Food Safety has intensified inspections at jaggery production facilities in Salem and Namakkal districts in Tamilnad ahead of the upcoming Pongal festivities. With jaggery being a key ingredient in making Pongal, producers in these districts have increased their output over the past two weeks. In Salem, where sugar mills are absent, local farmers process jaggery directly from their sugarcane harvest. Jaggery production facilities are located in Karuppur, Omalur, Mecheri, Deevattipatti, Edappadi, and Konganapuram in Salem, while in Namakkal district, the units are mainly situated in Paramathi Velur taluk.

Concerns Over Adulteration and Health Risks

The Food Safety Department has raised concerns about jaggery adulteration. While jaggery should be made only from sugarcane juice, some manufacturers add crystal sugar, which poses health risks. To prevent contamination, the department has carried out rigorous inspections in both districts over the past two weeks. During these inspections, authorities confiscated hidden crystal sugar and adulterated jaggery.

Seizures and Inspections in Namakkal District

K.C. Arun, the designated officer for the Food Safety Department in Namakkal, reported that 100 licensed jaggery production units operate in the district. To tackle the issue, the department formed five inspection teams. During their operations, officials seized substances used to whiten jaggery and 10.90 tonnes of crystalline sugar. They also collected samples from 24 units for laboratory analysis. Authorities confiscated approximately 26.43 tonnes of jaggery suspected of adulteration. Based on the laboratory results, the department will take further action against the affected units.

Salem District Inspections and Confiscations

R. Kathiravan, the designated officer for Salem district, stated that the department inspected 59 jaggery units and collected 16 samples for analysis. Authorities seized 9.05 tonnes of white crystal sugar and 550 kilograms of adulterated jaggery. The department issued notices to 11 units and filed cases against four units. Kathiravan confirmed that the department would take further action based on the ongoing investigations.

Source: The Hindu