Tamil Nadu Bans Sale Of Mayonnaise For One Year, Effective Immediately

Chennai, Tamil Nadu: The Tamil Nadu government, through an official gazette on Thursday, banned manufacture, packaging, storage, distribution or sale of mayonnaise prepared from raw eggs. The prohibition order is for a period of one year with effect from April 4, 2025.

The decision follow concerns that the mayonnaise made of raw eggs carries increased risk of food poisoning, especially from Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli and Listeria Monocytogenes, as per a warning from the state Food Safety and Drug Administration Department.

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The notice pointed out that several food business operators are using raw eggs improperly to prepare mayonnaise. It further noted that the storage of the product in facilities where contamination by microorganisms can occur is also a cause for concern for food safety. The ban reportedly places raw-egg mayonnaise in the same category as gutka and pan masala, both previously banned in the state as hazardous food products.

Several cases of food poisoning have been reported due to improperly stored or expired mayonnaise made from raw eggs in the past few years. Raw eggs can be harmful due to several other risks including the biotin absorption making it harder to digest. In 2023, the Kerala government banned the production, storage and sale of mayonnaise made from raw eggs.

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Concerns regarding food safety emerged following the tragic death of a 16-year-old in Kasargod in 2022. Many others who had food from the same restaurant also had significant health issues after being infected by Salmonella bacteria from consumption of mayonnaise.

Several other states, including Karnataka and Telangana, have taken strict actions to address concerns related to raw egg mayonnaise by banning the manufacture, storage, and sale of the product last year.