Sago company owner threatens official

A Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) official was allegedly threatened by a sago company owner over phone while she attempted to take samples from the unit on Paithur Road in Attur here on Thursday. When a team led by T. Anuradha, District Designated Food Safety Officer, Tamil Nadu Drug Administration Department, along with food safety officers visited the factory, they were not allowed to take samples and the manager informed the company’s owner over phone.

Speaking over phone, the person allegedly threatened Ms. Anuradha of dire consequences if she took samples from the company, threatened her family and used abusive words.

The person said that he had ‘political influence’ and even if the company was sealed, he could reopen the company in an hour.

Samples taken

She informed the threat to Food Safety Commissioner, Chennai, and District Collector K. Maharabushanam who asked her to contact the Attur police. Later, samples were taken in the presence of the police.

She told The Hindu that companies manufacturing sago and starch were instructed not to use chemicals to whiten the finished product as it was harmful for human consumption.

As per Food Safety and Standards Act, the finished product should be in its natural colour. But many companies continued to flout food safety norms.

Action

“Further action will be taken after discussion with higher officials,” she said.