Food Safety dept raids shops in Coimbatore

The Government of Tamil Nadu, in collaboration with the Coimbatore Police Department and the Coimbatore District Food Safety Department, established 23 Special Committees to address the sale of banned Pan Masala and Gutka. Acting on instructions from the Secretary of the Medical and Public Welfare Department and the Tamil Nadu Food Safety Commissioner, and with guidance from the Coimbatore Commissioner of Police and the Coimbatore Superintendent of Police and District Collector, joint field inspections were conducted across various areas.

These inspections covered locations like Peelamedu, Ganapathy, Podanur, Town Hall, RS Puram, Saravanampatti, Saibaba Colony, Singanallur, Kalapatti, Avinashi Road, Gandhipuram, Vadavalli, Race Course, Ramanathapuram, and suburbs such as Mettupalayam, Pollachi, Sulur, Kinathukadavu, Madukkarai, Thondamuthur, Annur, Eskulam, Periyanaickenpalayam, Karamadai, Anaimalai, and Valparai. A total of 5,568 shops were subjected to random field inspections.

During these inspections, approximately 3098.38 kg of banned Pan Masala and Gutka were seized from 692 shops, with an estimated market value of Rs 30,63,804. Additionally, 683 shops found selling these banned products for the first time were fined Rs 25,000 each and prohibited from conducting business for 15 days, amounting to a total fine of Rs 17,07,5000.

Eight shops found guilty of repeat offences were fined Rs 50,000 each, totaling Rs 4,00,000, and were suspended from business operations for 30 days.

Officials emphasised the importance of reporting any instances of prohibited tobacco products being sold in shops. Informants can contact the Food Safety Department via WhatsApp at 94440 42322, with the assurance that their information will be kept confidential.