Key Update

Kerala has intensified food safety inspections ahead of the Onam season to prevent adulterated, unsafe and substandard food from reaching consumers.

Health and Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan said on Sunday that the Food Safety Department has conducted 5,016 inspections across the State since launching the ‘Onam Squad’ campaign on July 27. Officials issued 705 notices after detecting violations and recommended fines against 390 food establishments. The department has also collected 623 statutory samples and 1,899 surveillance samples for laboratory testing.

Focus on Onam foods

Food safety officials are paying special attention to products widely consumed during Onam, including pappadam, jaggery, coconut oil and ghee. They are checking product labels, manufacturing and expiry dates, batch numbers, food business licences, ingredient declarations and other mandatory details. Officials have collected samples of jaggery, coconut oil and ghee and sent them to laboratories to check their quality and detect possible adulteration.

The department has also stepped up inspections at hotels, restaurants, catering establishments and cloud kitchens, especially those preparing and supplying Onam sadhya and other food packets through online platforms.

Checks across the Food Supply Chain

Officials are monitoring hygiene during food preparation, packing, storage and distribution. They are also checking temperature control, the quality of raw materials and compliance with food labelling requirements.

The department has strengthened inspections at distribution centres of online food purchasing platforms. Officials are examining stored raw materials and packaged foods for quality and proper storage conditions, while also checking for expired or damaged products, labels and batch details.

‘Eat Right Keralam–Safe Onam’ initiative

The department is also running awareness programmes under the ‘Eat Right Keralam–Safe Onam’ initiative. It has organised special classes across all 14 districts for hotel and catering operators, bakery owners and other food business operators. The sessions focus on food safety and hygiene practices during food preparation, handling, storage and distribution.

Minister K. Muraleedharan has directed the Food Safety Department to continue inspections and enforcement throughout the Onam season to ensure consumers have access to safe and quality food.

Source: Manorama News