Food Safety officials seize eight tonnes of sugar from jaggery units in Namakkal

Officials of the Food Safety Department conducted inspections at jaggery production units in and around Paramathi Velur and seized eight tonnes of white sugar that was reportedly stocked for adulteration.

With sugarcane cultivated over thousands of acres in Paramathi Velur and its surrounding areas, several jaggery manufacturing units operate in Kabilarmalai, Jedarpalayam, Pilikalpalayam, Anangur and Anna Nagar. With the Pongal festival season under way, jaggery production has peaked at these units. Meanwhile, the Department received complaints alleging adulteration in the production.

Acting on the complaints, a team of officials led by District Designated Food Safety Officer J. Thanga Vignesh inspected 30 jaggery units on Tuesday (January 13, 2026) and Wednesday (January 14, 2026). During the inspections, officials found eight tonnes of white sugar intended for adulterating jaggery in 10 units and seized the same. Four tonnes of adulterated jaggery balls were also seized.

For violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, fines totalling ₹1.80 lakh were imposed on the erring units. A separate fine of ₹5,000 was imposed on one unit for using plastic bags and cloth materials as fuel.

Officials said samples of jaggery were collected from all the 30 units inspected and sent for laboratory analysis. Further action will be initiated if adulteration is confirmed.