Anakapalle jaggery market raided amid protest by farmers, traders

Food safety officials collecting samples from a jaggery shop at NTR Agricultural Market Yard at Anakapalle on Monday 

VISAKHAPATNAM: Officials of Food Safety Department on Monday conducted raids on the jaggery shops at NTR Agricultural Market Yard at Anakapalle, following allegations over indiscriminate use of sodium hydrosulphite (hydrose) by farmers and traders in preparation of the preferred sweetener at every household. However, the shop owners protested against the move.

Food safety authorities from Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Guntur, West Godavari, East Godavari formed several teams and raided the shops following instructions from the Food Safety Commissioner Samuel Anand Kumar.

“The teams raided 37 shops at the market and collected 12 samples of jaggery being produced and sold there. The raids were conducted in the wake of allegations of adulterating jaggery with sodium hydrosulphite (hydrose), which can lead to severe health issues among the consumers,” said Hanumanthu Rao, assistant food controller of food safety department, Visakhapatnam

As per the norms, he said, hydrose should not be added more than 100 ppm during the preparation of jaggery. But, several complaints were received that the farmers and traders had been adding more quantity of the chemical to ensure good colour of jaggery.

“We have collected the samples which will be sent to the State Food Laboratory, Hyderabad for testing,” said Hanumanthu Rao.

When the officials started raiding the shops, the shop keepers staged a protest. Sources said that the officials had to stop the raids on other shops due to the resistance and have planned to resume the crackdown in the coming days again.

Meanwhile Food safety officials say that similar raids would be conducted in jaggery markets at Tanuku, Tadepallegudem, Chittoor and a few more places in the state.

The excessive intake of hydrose can lead to severe health complications.

“The jaggery with high hydrose content can lead to intestinal problems and even cancer in long term,” said Hanumanthu Rao.