A large number of mango fruits ripened with carbide were seized and destroyed at various shops in and around Karaikal on Thursday.
A team of officials from the Food Safety Department conducted a raid at different restaurants, fruit stalls, provisional stores, snack bars, and seized refreshments, coloured jaggery and packed snacks which were found unsafe for health.
The seizure formed part of the arrangements made by the district administration for the smooth conduct of ‘Mangani festival’ scheduled to commence at Sri Kailsanathaswamy Temple here on June 29, said M. Ravichandran, Food Safety Officer, Puducherry, who conducted the raid.
As a large number of mangoes and huge volume of jaggery would be offered by the devotees, the authorities conducted the search at a number of fruit stalls and provisional stores. “Baskets of mangoes found ripened with carbide and the extra colour used to polish the jaggery were seized and destroyed,” he said.
He said that strict action would be taken against those found adulterating the jaggery with extra colours. Apart from imposing fine, criminal proceedings would be initiated against them, he added.
No free packets
No free food packet should be distributed at Tirunallar during festival days without prior permission. He has advised the donors to obtain permission from the authorities.
E. Vallavan, District Collector said steps had been taken to ensure quality fruits during Mangani festival.
