12,000 kg of banned tobacco products seized in four months in Erode district

The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has, in the current year, seized 12,000 kg of banned tobacco products from 879 shops and imposed fines totaling ₹2.15 crore on the shopkeepers.

According to a release, the Erode District Food Safety Department has undertaken several proactive measures to ensure the public has access to safe food. These initiatives include awareness campaigns, food safety inspections, and quality checks. As a result, the district has emerged as a leading example in food safety enforcement.

The release stated that all food establishments, from small-scale eateries to large-scale operations, are required to obtain a licence from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Over the last four months, the department has seen a 31% increase in basic registrations and a 19% increase in State-level licences.

Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO), a project introduced by FSSAI, aims to convert used cooking oil (UCO) into biodiesel. This year, 94 metric tons of used oil have been collected, of which 64 metric tons have been successfully converted into biodiesel.

The production, storage, distribution, and sale of banned tobacco products and nicotine-laced items such as gutka and pan masala are completely prohibited in the State. In Erode district, a total of 879 shops were sealed for selling such banned items. Awareness campaigns have also been carried out to discourage the use of polythene wrappers in restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, and retail outlets. Fines are being imposed on establishments found using plastic covers.

Consuming unhygienically produced food can lead to contamination by harmful bacteria, posing serious health risks, including fatal illnesses. To address this, food safety officers have been actively inspecting food establishments and penalising those found in violation of hygiene standards.

The public is encouraged to report any food safety concerns via WhatsApp, email, or mobile app. Complaints should include specific details such as the location, type of quality issue, and relevant bills or receipts. Complaints can be submitted by phone at 94440 42322, via email at unavupukar@gmail.com, or through the TN Food Safety Consumer App. Issues such as labelling errors on food packages or poor-quality bottled water can also be reported, the release added.