FSSAI officials seize 1 tonne of adulterated tea powder in Tirupur

Acting on a tip-off, a team of the food safety officials led by the district designated officer Tamil Selvan conducted a surprise raid past midnight on Tuesday at the house of one Murugesan at Samundipuram. 

In the raid, the officials discovered a huge quantity of tea powder packed in cartons and kept ready for supply. “A check revealed that the tea powder was adulterated. About one tonne of the tea powder was seized from his house,” said the officials. 

The officials said that they received frequent complaints from the public that adulterated tea was being sold by bakeries and tea stalls. “We carried out an inspection and found tea, made of adulterated powder, is being served to customers at bakeries at Perumanallur and Periyayipalayam neighbourhoods.

“When inquired, the shop owners claimed to have bought the tea powder from Murugesan,” said an official. Thereafter, the officials carried out a surprise check at the house of Murugesan and seized the adulterated tea packs and a huge volume of chemical colouring agents. 

“Consuming adulterated tea may cause cancer and other health ailments. The seized tea powder has been sent for a lab testing and action would be initiated against Murugesan based on its report,” said the FSSAI officials.