Observing that the sale of wet starch should be banned, the Madras High Court on Monday directed the State government to issue necessary GOs in a week.
Hearing a plea which alleged mixing of chemicals in wet starch, the First Bench comprising Chief Justice S.K. Kaul and Justice T.S. Sivagnanam said, “It is pointed out that wet starch is sold in the market, which creates a problem, as it is purchased by manufacturers at discounted value, chemicals added and then, sold. It is, thus, agreed that sale of wet starch should be banned.”
The Bench also directed that sago, which fails the nine-level tests by authorities, should not be returned to the manufacturers but to the Food Safety Department for appropriate action.
On the submission of the Food Safety Department’s Designated Officer T. Anuradha, who was present in the court in connection with the case, it emerged that some small manufacturers, who did not have facility to remove the skin from tapioca, sold it to larger manufacturers.
There was also an allegation that various harmful chemicals were mixed with sago to whiten it.
Even as it directed the Food Safety Department to monitor the factories and manufacturers to ensure that the orders complied, the Bench also directed the Assitant Public Prosecutor to produce a list of cases registered against sago manufacturers over the issue. The Registrar of the High Court would submit a report.
“We make it clear that when the factories are sealed by Food Safety Department on account of adulterated sago, no such factory will be opened without the leave of the court.,” the Bench said.
Directs State government to issue necessary GO in a week
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