Madhavaram’s retail outlet was closed by the Tamil Nadu Food Safety Department for unlawfully selling milk for children on May 31st. On June 1st, the department conducted checks across the state to monitor breastmilk sales.
According to M. Jegadish Chandra Bose, Designated officer of Food Safety Department, Tiruvallur, they received a complaint from central FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) team on May 21 that a shop in Madhavaram adjacent to Chennai was selling breast milk. The retail outlet situated at K.K.R. Garden in Madhavaram is currently under surveillance for this reason. After making an inspection into the shop, they discovered containers with inscriptions “breast milk.”
“FSSAI license had been taken by vendor in order to sell protein powder; he was selling 50ml of breastmilk at INR500 which is against the law. Also, we have sealed that outlet and have collected samples awaiting report,” asserted Dr Bose. The officials have issued notice to the vendor regarding such violation.
The 38-year-old vendor has been reported to police.
For this reason, Food Safety department has carried out checks throughout State and asked people to inform them if any case of illegal sale of mother’s milk occurs before their eyes. Officials said actions will be taken against defaulters under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Accordingly, P.Satheesh Kumar who serves as Chennai’s designated officer on food safety has provided his phone number along with WhatsApp number as 94440 42322 for public use through media outlets like newspapers or radios
