Unsafe Arecanut Samples Trigger Legal Action After 174 Bags Seized in Kolar
Kolar/Bengaluru: Food safety authorities are initiating legal proceedings after laboratory tests found unsafe and substandard arecanut in a 174-bag consignment intercepted in Mulbagal taluk, Kolar district. The shipment included 54 bags addressed to a Bengaluru trader and 53 to a Kolar business.
Officials intercepted the vehicle, bearing registration number WB 17-4074, on September 14, 2026, between approximately 7.45 pm and 8 pm, acting on information about suspected unsafe arecanut. According to the departmental update, the consignment originated in Assam and travelled via Kolkata for delivery to businesses across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The driver could not produce the documents sought during the inspection, including ownership and transport records, FSSAI licence or registration, and information concerning packaging, labelling and product quality. Officials said he fled during the inspection.
Tests flag unsafe and substandard samples
Officers initially collected three legal samples and two survey samples. Of the legal samples, one was classified as both unsafe and substandard, another as unsafe, and the third as substandard.
One survey sample was found unsafe and the other safe. A further legal sample has since been collected from the lot corresponding to the unsafe survey finding.
The findings relate to the samples tested. Officials are drawing additional samples from the remaining bags for laboratory examination.
All 174 bags have been moved to the Food and Civil Supplies wholesale godown at the district headquarters in Kolar.
Consignment addressed to seven businesses
Using phone numbers on the docket bills, the Designated Officer, Kolar, summoned representatives of the businesses named as recipients:
- S. Khajareddy, Chennai — 10 bags
- SDC Enterprises, Palakkad — 12 bags
- Golden Traders, Tirupati — 20 bags
- Nimra Traders, Punganur — 15 bags
- S.M. Traders, Vepanapalli, Tamil Nadu — 10 bags
- Basaveshwara Traders, Bengaluru — 54 bags, across two dockets of 28 and 26
- B.S. Enterprises, Kolar — 53 bags
The recipients told officials that they had purchased the arecanut online and that this was their first purchase from the wholesalers concerned.
According to the update, proceedings are being initiated under Sections 51 and 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, before the Judicial Magistrate First Class court and the Adjudicating Officer (Additional Deputy Commissioner). Further action will follow as testing of the remaining consignment continues.
About the Author
