Officials of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department raided a provision shop and the shopkeeper’s house at Anand Nagar in Perundurai and seized 540 kg banned tobacco products worth ₹ 5 lakh here on Monday.
Based on a tip-off, District Collector C. Kathiravan directed District Designated Officer T. Kalaivani to inspect the shop. The team raided the shop on Perundurai-Chennimalai Road and found 40 kg banned tobacco products stocked for sale. Inquiries with the shopkeeper revealed that he was in possession of more products in his house in the same area. The team inspected the house and found 500 kg products in bags.
Ms. Kalaivani told The Hindu that the seized products had nicotine content. Samples would be sent for laboratory tests, based which action would be initiated, she said.
As per the provisions of Section 32 of The Food Safety and Standards Act, the shopkeeper’s license was cancelled. She said that around 4,600 kg banned tobacco products worth ₹ 46 lakh were seized from traders in the past two years and 40 cases were registered. Cases are in trial at the courts, she added.
Traders warned
Collector C. Kathiravan in a press release said that shops would be inspected to check sale of banned tobacco products and warned of action against those selling such products. He said that public can send complaints related to sale of banned food items or tobacco items on WhatsApp number 94440-42322 and or dial 0424-2223545. Complaints can be lodged in person at the Office of the Food Safety Department functioning on the premises of District Headquarters and Hospital, he said.
