Key Update

With just three days to go for Deepavali, the Food Safety Department in  Salem, Tamil Nadu, intensified raids at sweet shops and manufacturing units. Over the past ten days, 19 officials inspected production areas and collected samples to ensure sweets and savouries meet strict hygiene standards. Officials directed manufacturers to keep their production areas clean, wear gloves and head coverings, change oil after each use, use artificial colours within permitted limits, and maintain valid FSSAI licences.

Festival Sales and Consumer Advice

Sweet shops launched special Deepavali sales on October 16, selling 250 g boxes at ₹150–₹165, 500 g boxes at ₹300–₹330, and 1 kg boxes at ₹600–₹660. Authorities advised consumers to check manufacturing and expiry dates and to eat milk-based sweets like Palkova within two days to avoid spoilage.

Awareness and Enforcement

On October 13, Food Safety Designated Officer Kavikumar held an awareness session in Salem with over 200 sweet manufacturers and shop owners, emphasising that safety and hygiene rules must be implemented year-round, not just during the festival. Officials asked consumers to report substandard or non-compliant sweets by sending photos via WhatsApp to 9444042322.

Source: The Hindu