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Kozhikode Kicks Off FSSAI Hygiene Rating Program to Boost Food Safety

Kozhikode Kicks Off FSSAI Hygiene Rating Program to Boost Food Safety

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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under its ‘Eat Right Challenge,’ has launched a hygiene rating program in Kozhikode district, including 91 hotels. This program encourages food businesses to adopt self-regulation and demonstrate food safety, helping to build consumer trust. Food Safety officials have stated that they will expand the program to additional establishments to encourage responsible business practices. Approved agencies will oversee the Hygiene Rating Audits (HRAA). Once a food establishment achieves a hygiene rating of 4 or higher, it will qualify for the ‘Safe Place to Eat’ label.

Certification for Eat Right Schools, Campuses, and Worship Centers

Officials are working to certify Eat Right Schools, Eat Right Campuses, and Eat Right Worship Centres in Kozhikode. The first phase will include six campuses, three educational institutions, and two temples.  Food Safety Assistant Commissioner A. Sakeer Hussein announced that Keezhpayyur West LP School and Alphonsa Senior Secondary School in Thamarassery have already received certification from District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh.

Grading Criteria for Food Establishments

Officials will issue grading certificates based on six key parameters: promoting personal hygiene, encouraging healthy eating habits, ensuring safe water handling, establishing an effective complaint redressal mechanism, facilitating open kitchen visits, and managing food donations. Food Safety officials will use this data for further validation and review. The hygiene rating program followed a series of rigorous inspections aimed at uncovering irresponsible business practices. Food Safety officials reported identifying 233 food establishments in Kozhikode that violated safety and hygiene regulations.

Fines and Legal Action for Violations

During a three-month inspection period in 2024, officials collected ₹7.75 lakh in fines. They also gathered 300 statutory samples and 1,033 surveillance samples for laboratory testing. The inspections resulted in 34 adjudication cases and 17 prosecution cases, leading to a total fine collection of ₹15.54 lakh.

Ongoing Efforts to Ensure Food Safety

Food Safety officials continue their efforts to ensure that food establishments comply with hygiene standards, enhancing public health safety. By certifying food establishments and implementing the hygiene rating program, officials aim to further strengthen consumer trust in food safety throughout Kozhikode.

Source: The Hindu

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