Banned pan masala products seized

Banned gutka and pan masala products seized by health officials being destroyed at Erumapalayam compost yard in Salem on Tuesday

In a major drive against selling of banned gutka, panmasala, and other tobacco items, health officials on late Monday night seized goods worth Rs. 5 lakh kept in a godown for distribution.

A team led by T. Anuradha, District Designated Officer, Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, along with health officers N. Tirumoorthy, Balu, and others raided the godown at Shevapet and found the items kept for wholesale distribution. Officials said that the wholesale distributor was warned twice against selling the banned items. Goods valued at Rs. 6,000 were seized in an earlier raid.

But he continued to sell the items despite the warnings. It was found that the godown was a major point for distribution across the district. “Since he is a repeated offender, a report will be sent to the Commissioner of Food Safety for taking further course of action,” Ms. Anuradha told The Hindu .

“Legal action will be initiated against him after receiving the go-ahead,” she added. The seized items burned at the Erumapalayam compost yard.

Health officials said that the raids would continue and action would be taken against rule violators.