55 quintals of sesame stock seized in Tamil Nadu

29-Oct-2025 03:46 PM

Madurai. Food safety officials seized two trucks carrying 55,050 kg of sesame seeds in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, because they lacked a food safety certificate.

The trucks were parked at Villi Pathiri, and upon inspection, they found 734 sacks of sesame seeds. The bags were purchased for an edible oil plant, but were not compliant with food safety regulations.

When officials asked the truck drivers for a food safety license, they discovered that the truck driver lacked one. Furthermore, the supplier of the sesame consignment also lacked a license.

The total value of this 55,050 kg of sesame seeds is estimated at ₹59.89 lakh. Samples of the sesame seeds have been taken for analysis, and officials have filed a case against the transport operator.

A case has also been filed against the oil plant because it purchased the sesame from a supplier who did not have a food safety license. Such cases rarely come to light.

Sesame is considered a sensitive oilseed and requires safe handling. A food safety license is required for its trade and transportation.

Sesame is processed extensively in Tamil Nadu, along with other states. Only after testing the samples will it be known whether the weather has affected the quality of the sesame. But a case has been filed.