Dead scorpion found in halwa in Tirunelveli

Dead scorpion found in halwa in Tirunelveli 

THE HINDU BUREAU TIRUNELVELI 17.07.2025

The Food Safety Department officials inspected a leading sweet stall and its kitchen here on Wednesday after dead scorpion was allegedly found in the halwa sold to a customer.

Suganthan of Keezha Azhagunatchiyaarpuram near Sankarankovil bought 1.50 kg halwa in five packets from a leading halwa shop in Tirunelveli Junction on last Sunday (July 13).

He reportedly found a dead scorpion in the delicacy in one of the packets when he opened it after reaching home. He released the video showing the dead venomous stinger in halwa with the voice accusing the shop for allegedly not showing due attention in preparing and packing the sweet.

“Since the shop has sold halwa with venomous scorpion, I’m planning to approach the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum,” the voice says.

After this disturbing visual was shared on social media, officials attached to the Department of Food Safety inspected the shop and the kitchen where halwa is prepared.

“We’ve served notice to the halwa shop and shared the visuals with the owner of the shop seeking his clarification on this issue. Based on our findings, we’ve asked the shop owner to take a few measures to ensure better housekeeping like fixing mesh in the windows and other holes in the kitchen through which the insects can enter. We’ve also lifted samples from the kitchen and sent for analysis. Based on the analysis report and our findings in the shop, due action will follow,” Designated Food Safety Officer, Tirunelveli, Pushparaj, said.

The halwa shop workers categorically denied that there was no chance for a scorpion getting packed along with halwa.

“We maintain superior cleanliness in the kitchen at any given time. Since halwa would be very hot when it is packed, it would even burn your skin if a small portion accidentally falls on you. So, no insect will come even closer to the hot pan. As we suspect a foul play in this issue, we’re planning to file a complaint with the police since this incident should not tarnish our credibility,” said sources in the shop.