FSSAI tells Tamil Nadu government to crack down on the alleged sale of banned Chinese Garlic in Chennai.

Food safety regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has received complaints regarding sale of banned Chinese garlic in Chennai markets and has directed the Tamil Nadu government to look into the matter, Parliament was informed on Tuesday.

Chinese garlic, a variety grown primarily in China and exported worldwide, is known for its smaller bulbs and light white to pink color, and is often used in Chinese and Asian cuisines. Concerns exist regarding its cultivation and preservation methods, with some suggesting it may contain chemicals and pesticides.

Appearance and Characteristics:

• Chinese garlic typically has smaller bulbs compared to some other varieties.
• The bulbs can range in color from light white to pink.
• The cloves are uniform crescents and can range in color from light gold to white.

Identifying Chinese Garlic:

• Chinese garlic is often described as smaller in size and bright white or pink in color.
• Indian garlic, on the other hand, is typically larger and has peels that range in color from white to pink to even light brown

Culinary Uses:

• Chinese garlic is commonly used in Chinese and other Asian cuisines, such as in noodles, stir-fries, and soups.
• It’s also suitable for cooked applications like roasting, sautéing, and baking.

Concerns and Restrictions:

There have been reports and concerns about the use of chemicals and pesticides in the cultivation and preservation of Chinese garlic. Some sources suggest that Chinese garlic may lack the beneficial properties found in regular garlic, and that the allicin content may be lower.

Indian Context:

In India, there have been concerns about the sale of Chinese garlic, with some suggesting that it is banned. FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) has received complaints regarding the sale of banned Chinese garlic in Chennai and has directed the Tamil Nadu government to take action.

Some reports suggest that Chinese garlic is smuggled into India, and that authorities are unaware of its presence in certain markets.

Import of Chinese garlic has been banned since September 2005 after India found fungus Embellisia alli and Urocytsis cepulae in the product. Minister of State for Agriculture Ram Nath Thakur, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, said the Central Board Of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 546 tons of Chinese garlic during 2023-24, and 507 tons during 2024-25. Further, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has also received a “complaint regarding sale of Chinese garlic in Chennai markets”, he said.

Accordingly, FSSAI has directed Tamil Nadu Food Safety Department for monitoring and surveillance activities. All Plant Quarantine Stations under Department of Agriculture have been directed to take necessary measures to stop import of banned Chinese garlic into the country, he added.

The import of agricultural commodities is regulated through Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 and commodities are allowed for import after detailed pest risk analysis conducted by Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage (DPPQ&S), Faridabad and accordingly pest mitigation measures adopted by exporting countries.

Further, various agencies namely Plant Quarantine Stations, CBIC and DRI inspect the import of commodities and their mode of entry and take necessary actions against the defaulters as per the provisions of Plant Quarantine Order, 2003 and Customs Act, 1962.

Team Maverick