Food safety officials penalise shops in Erode for heating milk on boilers

Officials from the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department have imposed fines on tea shops and bakeries in and around Gobichettipalayam for unhygienic practices, including heating milk packets on boilers.

Acting on the directions of Collector S. Kandasamy, officials led by G. Varalakshmi, District Designated Food Safety Officer, inspected several establishments in Gobichettipalayam and surrounding areas last month.

At a bakery in Azhukuli, officials found milk being heated on a boiler and stored under unhygienic conditions. A fine of ₹10,000 was imposed under Section 56 of the Food Safety and Standards Act. Six other bakeries were inspected on the same day, and expired food products, banned plastic articles and unhygienic practices were detected. Fines of ₹10,000 each were imposed.

During inspections at Othakuthirai, Bungalowpudur and T.N. Palayam, officials found tea shops heating milk packets on boilers before using the milk to prepare tea. Two shops were fined ₹10,000 each and their food safety registrations were temporarily suspended.

Around 35 shops have so far been inspected in Gobichettipalayam and its surrounding areas. Officials found food stored in newspapers and tea packed in banned polythene bags. Nine shops were fined a total of ₹1.25 lakh and notices were issued under food safety regulations. Awareness was also created among the establishments on food safety practices.

Ms. Varalakshmi said inspections of tea shops and restaurants would continue across the district.

The Collector urged the consumers to lodge complaints at 0424-2223545 or 94440 42322, or email [email protected]. The identity of complainants will be kept confidential, he added.