Fruit juices sold at Salem bus stand raise health concerns

Quality of water and fruits used

A glass of fruit juice sold at less than Rs. 10 on the old bus stand premises may not be safe as the quality of water and the fruits used for preparation of the juice are questionable.

With intense heat prevailing across the district, the demand for fruit juices, sugarcane juice, watermelon and palmyra fruit (nungu) has picked up. But consumers are unmindful about the quality of readymade juices sold in bus stand areas and roadside shops. Their only concern is that those juices are available at fewer prices that are stored in stainless containers. A glass of lemon juice is sold at Rs. 7, orange, grape, mango and other readymade juices are sold at Rs. 10 per glass.

Commuters from villages throng the old bus stand premises in large numbers as they consume these juices without caring about the quality. During the summer season last year, officials of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department raided these shops and found rotten fruits and artificial flavorings used in these readymade juices. Also, unprotected drinking water was used. Shopkeepers were let off after warning.

Officials warn against consuming these unsafe juices as it may cause health problems.