Key Update

In intensified operations as part of Operation Life, the Food Safety Department seized 4,513 litres of suspicious coconut oil from seven districts. Health Minister Veena George announced that officials launched the raids after receiving complaints about poor-quality oil.

Officials Raid Seven Districts

Assistant Food Safety Commissioners led special squads and raided coconut oil production and marketing centres. Officials seized:

• 300 litres in Pathanamthitta
• 107 litres in Idukki
• 630 litres in Thrissur
• 988 litres in Palakkad
• 1,943 litres in Malappuram
• 545 litres in Kasaragod

Officials collected two statutory samples in Wayanad but did not detect adulterated oil.

Previous Raids Seized 16,500 Litres

Ten days earlier, officials had seized 16,565 litres of substandard coconut oil during similar inspections. The repeated raids have heightened concerns about large-scale adulteration ahead of Onam. In the latest drive, food safety teams collected 20 statutory samples and 3 surveillance samples for laboratory testing. The Health Department warned that adulterating food products is a criminal offence and confirmed that it will enforce strict action. It also urged the public to report complaints about coconut oil quality through the toll-free helpline 1800-425-1125.

Source: Mathrubhumi