Tamil Nadu food safety dept seize 15,000 tonnes of Reliance Industries’ maize

The seized maize is now in the custody of food business operators, and samples have been sent for quality testing. Although the operators failed to provide any purchase details, officials estimate the value of the food grain to be around ₹20 crore.

Based on a tip-off, the department officials, including Dr. S Mariappan, the designated officer for food safety and drug administration, and Sivakumar, the incharge food safety officer of Ottapidaram union, along with their team, conducted an inspection at a warehouse owned by South India Corporation. The warehouse is situated on the Tuticorin-Madurai National Highway.

Aspinwall and Company Limited, which holds a valid license for storing food grains, has leased the warehouse where the incident occurred. The warehouse was being used by Reliance Industries to store the consignment intended for export.

Unfortunately, the food grains were found to be stored in unsanitary conditions and were infested with beetles and other insects.

Dr. S Mariappan, the designated officer for food safety and drug administration, has stated that the warehouse has been sealed, and the food safety license of the food business operator has been temporarily revoked. Samples of the grain have been collected for quality testing.

Depending on the test results, the department will take appropriate legal action in response to the situation.

Dr. S Mariappan cautioned food operators that merely obtaining a license is not enough; they must also ensure that food items are stored in accordance with the hygiene standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. Failure to comply with these norms would result in serious legal consequences for the operators.

Mariappan appealed to the public to file complaint by calling 94440 42322 or https://foodsafety.tn.gov.in.

Updated: 20 Jun 2023, 09:18 AM IST