Tuticorin: Food safety officials seized 75,000kg of sugar without proper bills suspected to be supplied to units manufacturing adulterated palm sugar and palm crystals in Udangudi and Tiruchendur areas of the district. The sleuths also seized 3,240kg of panchamirtham without proper labelling.

The FSSAI team led by designated officer for food safety and drug administration, S Mariappan raided various food manufacturing units in Tiruchendur on Tuesday.When they raided a panchamirtham-making unit at Palayamkottai Road, the team found 2,940kg of palm sugar and 357kg of panchamirtham without any labels. The seized items were deposited with the trader while the manufacturing unit was sealed due to unhygienic operating conditions. Officials also seized 300kg of palm sugar and 29kg of panchamirtham from another unit.
During the operation, the FSSAI team received a tip-off that one unit was manufacturing adulterated palm crystals. So, they summoned the owner. Since the owner did not turn up despite repeated calls, the unit was sealed to protect the evidence, said Mariappan.
Acting on a complaint, the team raided a company in Udangudi, and found 13kg of banned tobacco products. They also seized 12,500kg of sugar from the company. The company premises was sealed for stocking tobacco products. Inspecting another unit owned by the same owners, officials found 1,500 bags of sugar each weighing 50kg.
The owners did not have any bills for procurement or transport. So, the entire stock of 75,000kg of sugar was confiscated on suspicion that the sugar was being supplied to manufacture adulterated palm sugar and crystals since Udankudi is the hub of these products, said officials. The owners of these units were summoned.
Mariappan warned the wholesale traders of sugar that they should not supply refined sugar to palm product manufacturers.