Unsafe arecanuts seized in Kolar, legal action initiated

Five samples were collected for laboratory analysis. | Image for representation | Photo Credit: File photo Food safety officials have initiated legal proceedings after laboratory tests found unsafe and substandard arecanuts in a consignment seized in Mulbagal taluk of Kolar district on September 14.Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) officers intercepted a vehicle, which was transporting the consignment from Assam via Kolkata to destinations including Kolar, Bengaluru, Palakkad, Tirupati, Chittoor, Punganur and parts of Tamil Nadu.According to a statement, officials found 174 bags of arecanut in the vehicle. The driver allegedly failed to produce documents relating to the ownership and transportation of the consignment, FSSAI licence or registration, packaging and labelling, and the quality of the product. He reportedly fled the spot during the inspection.Samples testedFive samples were collected for laboratory analysis — three legal samples and two survey samples. Of the three legal samples, one was found to be both unsafe and substandard, another unsafe and the third substandard. Of the two survey samples, one was found to be unsafe while the other was found to be safe.Following the unsafe finding in one of the survey samples, officials have drawn a legal sample from the corresponding lot for further action, the statement said.The entire consignment has been shifted to and stored at the Food and Civil Supplies wholesale godown at the Kolar district headquarters.Proceedings under Food Safety ActBased on the laboratory findings, proceedings are being initiated under Sections 51 and 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court and the Adjudicating Officer, who is the Additional Deputy Commissioner.Further samples are being drawn from the remaining bags for laboratory examination, the statement said.Using phone numbers mentioned on the docket bills, the Designated Officer, Kolar, summoned the Food Business Operators (FBOs) to whom the consignments were addressed. The consignees included S. Khajareddy of Chennai (10 bags), SDC Enterprises of Palakkad (12 bags), Golden Traders of Tirupati (20 bags), Nimra Traders of Punganur (15 bags), S.M. Traders of Vepanapalli in Tamil Nadu (10 bags), Basaveshwara Traders of Bengaluru (54 bags) and B.S. Enterprises of Kolar (53 bags).The FBOs reportedly informed officials that these were their first purchases of arecanut from the wholesalers concerned and that the transactions had been made online. Officials said further legal action would be pursued based on the laboratory reports and the outcome of the proceedings. Published - October 07, 2026 08:42 pm IST