Report

Kerala Health Minister Veena George has directed the Health Department to carry out statewide inspections of health cards held by employees in hotels, restaurants, and other food businesses. The decision comes after reports that a catering unit in Pathanamthitta had secured fake health cards for all its staff through a laboratory.

Under the Food Safety Standards Regulations, health cards have been mandatory in Kerala since February 1, 2023, to ensure that food handlers and servers are free from infectious diseases. This protects the public from dangerous bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that can spread through those preparing or serving food. Employees with valid health cards are also eligible to receive typhoid vaccines at subsidised rates through Karunya pharmacies. If an inspection finds any employee working with a fake or missing health card, authorities will cancel the licence of the establishment that employs them. The doctor who issued a fraudulent certificate will also face license suspension and legal action.

How to Obtain a Health Card

Employees must secure a medical fitness certificate in the prescribed format from a registered medical practitioner. The form can be downloaded from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) website (www.fssai.gov.in). The doctor must conduct a physical examination, check for skin diseases, wounds, or sores, verify eyesight, and confirm vaccination details. A blood test is mandatory to rule out contagious diseases, with provisions for a repeat test if needed. The certificate must bear the doctor’s seal and signature, and its validity lasts for one year.

Record-Keeping and Inspections

Hotels and restaurants must keep these certificates and supporting test results on their premises and produce them on demand whenever health officials conduct inspections.

Source: Mathrubhumi