BENGALURU: Members of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Tuesday raided a ketchup manufacturing unit in Seegehalli on Magadi Road following complaints that the company was operating under unhygienic conditions and using rotten tomatoes to make ketchup.
The complaint was filed by the NGO – Karnataka Manava Hakkugala Samiti, against 'Sangavi Limited', owned by K. Rajanna, at Kachohalli in Bengaluru North Taluk (near Magadi).
During the raid, the commission found that the unit was operating under filthy conditions and used rotten tomatoes and non-potable water to make the products. SHRC officials took pictures, videographed the unit and also prepared a detailed report.
The employees were paid low salaries and made to work long hours. During the raid, the unit owner reportedly failed to produce a valid licence to run the establishment.
SHRC chairperson Meera Saxena said, “The factory manufactures sauces under extremely unhygienic conditions, using rotten fruits and vegetables. The employees are picked up at dawn and made to work till late in the evening. There is no ventilation and the employees are paid less.”
The owner said that the factory has been running for the last two years, while the area residents claimed that it has been there for the last six. “The owner was unable to produce the licence to run the factory and the ISI barcode the unit uses is invalid,” SHRC officials added.
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