Nagpur court orders to destroy garlic pods imported from Chinese

Nagpur, Mar 11 (ANI): A local court in Nagpur has ordered to destroy garlic pods imported from China, after a Pune based laboratory investigations reveal fungus infection in the pods.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) official Manoj Tiwari told reporters here that the garlic pods were infected with mould (fungus), which was hazardous for humans and animal consumption.

"When the dried garlic was examined carefully, the report we got from Pune, revealed that the garlic pods were infected with fungus. It is also known as mould growth. It is dangerous for human beings and it can neither be used by the humans nor animals. This why, we have destroyed it after we get an order from the court," said Tiwari.

He said that the analysis from Pune laboratory revealed at least 49 percent of moisture present in the garlic pods.

The market value of the garlic pods was estimated to be approximately four million rupees in December 2011, which has now come down to 2.2 million rupees.

India had earlier imported nearly 15,000-20,000 tonnes of garlic from China. (ANI)