Allegations of insects and mold being found in ice cream manufactured by the "Apon Ice Cream" factory, located in the Birchandra Manu area under Shantirbazar subdivision of South Tripura, have triggered concern among local residents over food safety.

According to local sources, the issue came to light on Saturday when several customers allegedly discovered insects and mold-like patches inside ice cream purchased from a vendor at Birchandra Manu Market. The incident quickly spread across the area, prompting widespread public concern.

Residents claim that the factory has previously faced allegations of producing substandard food products and violating quality standards. They further alleged that despite earlier complaints, the concerned food safety authorities and the administration had failed to take effective action.

When media personnel visited the factory on Sunday to seek clarification, a worker reportedly stated that a prolonged power outage had caused the stored ice cream to spoil, which may have resulted in the growth of insects or mold. The worker also claimed that no fresh production had taken place in recent days and that ice cream manufactured earlier was still being sold in the market. According to the worker, the factory management was aware of the situation.

Local residents expressed serious concern, noting that the ice cream is regularly consumed by schoolchildren as well as people of all age groups. They warned that the sale of spoiled or unhygienically produced ice cream could pose a significant risk to public health.

The residents have urged the administration to conduct regular inspections of ice cream manufacturing units operating in the Shantirbazar subdivision to ensure compliance with hygiene and food quality standards. They also demanded an immediate investigation by the Food Safety Department and strict legal action against those found responsible.

As of the filing of this report, the administration has not issued any official statement regarding the allegations of insects and mold being found in the ice cream.