State sugar mills to produce 2L litres of hand sanitisers daily

MUMBAI: Maharashtra is daily producing 2 lakh litres of hand sanitisers after the Food and Drugs Administration has given 37 approvals to distilleries and sugar factories. Some sugar factories, including Vasantdada Patil Cooperative Sugar Factory in Sangli, Rajarambapu Cooperative Sugar Factory in Islampur, and Kolhapur Cooperative Sugar Factory have already scaled up production and begun supplying the product. Meanwhile, Yedeshwari Cooperative Sugar Factory in Beed and a couple of others are in the midst of soon starting production. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar told FPJ, "There are about 80 sugar factories with distilleries who have responded positively to the government’s call to start manufacturing hand sanitisers in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in the state. The production of hand sanitisers by sugar factories and distilleries will certainly help meet the gap between demand and supply. The product will be produced as per the health ministry’s parameters.’’

He informed that these factories and distilleries will use 70 per cent alcohol along with glycerin and water to produce hand sanitisers and supply 100 ml and 1 litre bottles.

Pawar said the government will not tolerate the sale of adulterated hand sanitisers and its black marketing and hoarding. He informed that Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has directed the police department to take strong action in such cases. Already the police and FDA have seized such stock by hoarders.