Key Update

The Food Safety Department has collected ₹26 lakh in fines from 191 food business operators during an enforcement drive across Kochi to improve compliance with food safety regulations. Since April 2026, food safety officials have carried out 1,173 inspections at food manufacturing units, distribution and sales establishments, hotels, restaurants, roadside eateries, and retail and wholesale outlets.

Officials Test More Than 1,300 

During the inspections, officials collected 335 statutory food samples for laboratory analysis. Testing found 19 samples unsafe for human consumption, prompting the department to file prosecution cases against the respective business owners. Officials also tested 997 surveillance samples to monitor food safety compliance. They issued compounding notices to establishments that failed to meet prescribed standards and imposed penalties on businesses that violated food safety regulations.

Department Takes Legal Action Against Substandard Food

The department completed legal action against several businesses that sold substandard food products and imposed fines as per the Food Safety and Standards Act. Officials said the enforcement drive aims to strengthen food safety compliance across the food supply chain and protect consumers from unsafe food.

Authorities File Cases Over Unsafe Chilli Powder

The Ernakulam Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety said the department has filed prosecution cases before the Judicial First-Class Magistrate Courts against manufacturers and sellers of chilli powder from major brands after laboratory tests found the products unsafe. The department said it will continue conducting inspections, collecting food samples, and taking legal action against businesses that fail to comply with food safety standards.

Source: The Times of India