334 food samples found poor

Food Business Operators submit applications to obtain license in Salem on Thursday. 

Food safety officials register cases against sellers

Of the 859 food samples takes from various establishments in the district till September, 334 food samples were found to be ‘sub-standard’ and cases were registered against the sellers.

District Collector Rohini R. Bhajibhakare on Thursday inaugurated a special camp for food business operators to enable them register with the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department and also obtain license. She said that there are 20,353 private food business operators in the district of which only 6,189 operators or 30% of the traders had obtained license. She said that Food Safety and Standards Act make it mandatory for operators to register themselves with the competent authority and operate. She asked all the operators to follow the law or face action.

The Collector said that officials of the department were inspecting establishments in the district and collecting samples to ensure that standard products are sold to the consumers. She said that 106 cases were disposed off and operators were fined to the tune of ₹49.36 lakh.

Hence, she warned operators not to sell sub-standard or unsafe products to the consumers and follow the guidelines as per the act. Mariyappan, District Designated Officer and officials were present.