Court Directs Regular Inspections

On Wednesday, the Kerala High Court directed authorities to conduct regular inspections of hotels, vendors, and restaurants that sell shawarma to ensure strict compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The court also ordered the revocation of licenses for eateries that sell shawarma without following safety regulations and mandated severe action against such establishments.

Mandatory Display of Food Preparation Details

The court issued this order while disposing of a writ petition filed by the mother of a 16-year-old girl who died in 2022 after consuming shawarma. The mother sought compensation of Rs 1 crore for her daughter’s untimely death and called for strict enforcement of the 2006 Act. Justice Devan Ramachandran instructed the authorities to uphold the court’s interim order from November 14, 2023, which required all eateries selling shawarma to display the date and time of food preparation on their packaging.

License Revocation for Violators

Today, the court issued additional directives, stating: “The respondents must ensure strict adherence to the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Authorities must conduct all necessary and periodic inspections of food businesses, and violators must face the full extent of the law. Suppose any vendor, hotel, or restaurant sells shawarma in violation of the court’s orders. In that case, authorities must take immediate and strict action to cancel their license, and those responsible must face legal proceedings without unnecessary delay. ”

Source: Manoramaonline