In a surprise check in a private godown near Villapuram
Housing Board Colony here on Thursday, the officials unearthed
adulterated edible oil packed in 500 ml plastic containers and kept in
over 150 boxes – each box carrying 20 plastic containers.
Following
complaints from consumer forum members about sale of adulterated edible
oil, District Collector L. Subramanian ordered the officials to take
action. A special team comprising officials drawn from Revenue
Department, District Supply Office, Food Safety wing and Commercial
Taxes Department was formed.
After locating the unit
adulterating oil, about 50 officials surrounded the premises. The
officials found that the operator of the unit, I.M. Selvaraj, was
adulterating oil.
Mixing 20 per cent of groundnut and
gingely oil, and 80 per cent of palm oil, Selvaraj was selling it in
500 ml plastic containers as gingely oil under the brand name of
‘Vetrivel’ and ‘Thanga Mayil’.
Selvaraj was procuring
oil in bulk from traders in Virudhunagar district. Around 20 workers
were engaged in the operation every day. According to Joint Director
(Agriculture) Jayasingh Gnanadurai, Selvaraj admitted to having a
network spanning the southern districts and parts of Kerala. It is
likely that he may be selling substandard oil at least for a year.
The
samples have been taken by Food Safety Officer Sujatha for examination.
RDO Arumugam recorded the statement of Selvaraj, and Commercial Tax
officials, led by Joint Commissioner (Enforcement) Illango, assessed the
purchase and sales recorded by him.
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