A total of 19 barrels containing pickles contaminated with worms, mould, fungus, and insects were confiscated by a team of Food Safety Officers at an unauthorised manufacturing unit at Govindapuram in Thuraiyur recently.

According to an official press release on Tuesday, the unit was inspected by a team based on a complaint filed by the public, and was found to be operating under severely unhygienic conditions. Also, the proprietor did not have a valid licence from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and the food handlers were not maintaining adequate personal hygiene.

A notice under Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 was issued for operating without a valid licence. Instructions were issued to the food business operator to obtain an FSSAI licence immediately.

Approximately 510 kg of contaminated pickles were seized and destroyed at the Thuraiyur compost yard. One enforcement sample and three surveillance samples were collected for analysis. A third-party audit was assigned and the premises would be monitored for compliance, according to the release.