Key Update

The Kozhikode Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) has fined Akhil Traders, a fried-snack manufacturer in Palayam, ₹1 lakh for allegedly producing and distributing food under unhygienic conditions.

Officials Shut Down Establishment After Inspection

Food Safety officials inspected the establishment at C.P. Bazaar in Palayam in February and found the premises severely unhygienic and unfit for food preparation. The establishment employed around 15 workers and supplied fried snacks to hotels, bakeries and cool bars across Kozhikode city and its surrounding areas.

Following the inspection, officials suspended its operations. Food Safety Officer Jithin Raj of the Kozhikode South Circle subsequently filed a case against the establishment, leading to the RDO’s decision to impose the fine. According to Bibi Mathew, Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety, the establishment remains closed.

Food Businesses Must Follow Hygiene Standards

Food businesses must comply with the hygiene and sanitation requirements outlined in Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards regulations. These standards help prevent contamination and ensure safe food handling during preparation, storage and distribution.

Cooking oil quality is another important aspect of food safety, particularly for businesses that manufacture fried snacks. Under the applicable regulations, the total polar compounds (TPC) level in cooking oil must not exceed 25%. Oil that crosses this limit becomes unsuitable for further use in food preparation. Repeatedly using degraded cooking oil can compromise food quality and pose potential health risks to consumers. Therefore, food businesses must monitor oil quality and replace it when it no longer meets safety standards.

Operation Thelima Targets Unsafe Cooking Oil

Meanwhile, the Food Safety Department has intensified inspections across Kozhikode district under Operation Thelima, a drive aimed at identifying food safety violations and preventing the reuse of unsuitable cooking oil.

As part of the initiative, officials inspected 201 establishments and seized and destroyed 238 litres of used cooking oil deemed unfit for reuse. Bibi Mathew said the department would take action against establishments that fail to comply with food safety standards.The action against Akhil Traders, along with the district-wide inspections, highlights the importance of maintaining hygienic production facilities, monitoring cooking oil quality and enforcing food safety regulations to protect public health.