HC directs to Food & Safety Department officer to remain

The Madras High Court today directed the designated officer of the Food and Safety Department of Salem District to be present in court, after filing an affidavit, to assist it in the matter of a PIL filed with regard to adding of acid and other chemicals in Sago.
The First Bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice T S Sivagnanam also directed the Secretary, Public Health and Family Welfare Department, the Commissioner of Food Safety, Salem District Collector, and others to file their counter affidavits by September 7.
The Bench was hearing a PIL filed by 'Kallakurichi Vellalapatti Vivasayigal Munnetra Sangam' (Farmers Association) of Belukurichi of Namakkal District.

The Farmers association alleged that the Tamil Nadu Tapioca Natural Sago Manufacturers Association of Salem, suppliers of Sago to the country, was purchasing Tapioca from farmers and has started adding acid and other chemicals to make sago look attractive "which is highly harmful to public."
The petitioner said Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat are the states where consumption is more for sago which form part of their daily food. But demand reduced because of mixing of acid and other chemicals in sago, the petitioner alleged.
The petitioner alleged that the Designated officer, Food and Safety Department, Salem, was inactive and hand in glove with the manufacturers.

A representation to Higher authorities in this regard did not elicit any response and the PIL was hence filed, the petitioner said and prayed for an interim direction to conduct prescribed test by authorities of Referral Food Laboratory at Pune.