Overview

The Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Kasaragod has fined a shop owner and a manufacturer for selling pickles containing excessive levels of chemicals beyond the permissible limit. The court found excess benzoate in mango pickles purchased from Metro Retailers in Kasaragod city.

Fines Imposed

The court fined M. Nimesh and C.H. Mushir, the owners of Metro Retailers, Rs. 5000 each. It also fined the manufacturer, Sajini Sajan, owner of KGEES Find Foods in Idukki, Rs. 25,000. Chief Judicial Magistrate Rajeevan Vachal ordered that if they fail to pay the fines, they will face an additional two months of imprisonment.

Discovery of Excess Preservative

Food Safety Officer K.P. Mustafa detected the excess preservative during an inspection on November 26, 2021. He sent a 400-gram sample of tender mango pickle for testing to the Kozhikode Regional Laboratory. The lab report, received on December 30, 2021, confirmed that the benzoate levels exceeded the permissible limit. The court based its judgment on several sections of the Food Safety Act of 2006.

What is Benzoate?

Benzoate is a chemical preservative used to prevent food from spoiling. It is available in forms like sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate. Commonly used in products like pickles, jams, juices, and sauces, it can pose health risks if consumed in excess beyond the permitted limits.

Source: Mathrubhumi