Two grocery shops near a school on Vellithiruppur Road in Olagadam Town Panchayat in the district were sealed after banned tobacco products were found stocked for sale during a surprise inspection on Thursday.
The action was taken on the instructions of District Collector S. Kandasamy as part of a joint drive by the Food Safety Department and police to prevent the sale of banned tobacco products such as gutkha, pan masala, Cool Lip and Hans.
During the inspection, officials found banned tobacco products stocked for sale at the shops. Based on the First Information Reports (FIRs) obtained from the Vellithiruppur police station, notices were issued to both shops under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the establishments were immediately sealed.
As the shops were found to have committed repeated violations, their Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licences/registrations were cancelled with immediate effect, and they were prohibited from continuing business. A fine of ₹1 lakh was imposed on each shop in accordance with the law, according to a press release.
District Designated Food Safety Officer G. Varalakshmi, Ammapettai Block Food Safety Officer K. Sudharsan, Vellithiruppur Inspector of Police Senthilkumar were present during the inspection.
Published - October 09, 2026 05:45 pm IST