Key Update 

With the Pongal festival approaching, Food Safety Department officials have intensified inspections at jaggery manufacturing units across Salem and Namakkal districts to curb adulteration and ensure consumer safety.

Salem and Namakkal are among Tamil Nadu’s major sugarcane-producing regions. Sugarcane cultivation is widespread in areas such as Karuppur, Omalur, Deevattipatti, Veeraganoor, Thalaivasal and Sankari in Salem district, and Paramathi Velur, Jedarpalayam, Solasiramani and Pandamangalam in Namakkal district. A majority of jaggery manufacturing units operate in Karuppur, Deevattipatti and Omalur in Salem, and across several pockets of Namakkal.

Production Rises Ahead of Festival Season

Jaggery production in these units has increased sharply over the past few weeks in anticipation of higher demand during Pongal. Typically, one metric ton of sugarcane yields only about 100–120 kg of jaggery. However, officials say some manufacturers allegedly resort to unethical practices to increase output and reduce production costs.

Use of Sugar and Chemicals Raises Concern

According to the Food Safety Department, certain units mix white sugar with sugarcane juice to artificially boost jaggery production. In some cases, chemicals such as superphosphate, sodium bicarbonate, soda ash, sodium hydrosulphite and synthetic food colours are reportedly used, raising serious food safety concerns.

Seizures and Sample Testing in Namakkal

Namakkal district Designated Officer for the Food Safety Department, J. Thanga Vignesh, said inspections led to the seizure of 37,300 kg of white sugar and 45,510 kg of adulterated jaggery. Around 85 samples were collected for laboratory analysis, of which 13 were confirmed to be unfit for human consumption. Notices have been issued to 17 manufacturing units in the district, he added. In the Salem district, Designated Officer M. Kavikumar said officials seized 3,450 kg of white sugar during inspections. Notices seeking explanations have been issued to six jaggery manufacturing units for violations of food safety norms.

Supply to Other States and Pricing Trends

Manufacturers from both districts said jaggery is usually packed in 30-kg bags and supplied to local markets, as well as transported to several States including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. A bag of jaggery is priced between ₹1,500 and ₹1,800, depending on quality. They added that prices have eased this season due to increased production.

Source: The Hindu