Large amounts of jaggery reaching Kerala from other States have been found to be adulterated.
The adulteration was detected in Operation Panela, an exercise launched by the Department of Food Safety to spot adulteration in jaggery found in markets in the State.
Raids were conducted by squads, led by the Food Safety Commissioners, in all 14 districts.
Operation Panela was launched on a directive of Minister for Health K.K. Shylaja, who is in charge of the Department of Food Safety, after recent chemical analysis of jaggery samples indicated presence of chemicals and artificial colours in it.
The Minister said instructions had been given for strict action against those responsible for adulteration of food products. Steps were also under way to remove adulterated jaggery from markets on an emergency basis.
A sizeable chunk of jaggery available in the State has been found adulterated with artificial colouring such as tartrazine, Sunset Yellow, Brilliant Blue, and carmoisine in gross violation of food safety rules.
Measures are also under way to monitor various phases of production of jaggery reaching the State from outside and ensure timely action by officials in cooperation with the food safety wing in other States.
