Thiruvananthapuram: In a state-wide crackdown ahead of the Onam festival, the Kerala Food Safety Department seized nearly 17,000 litres of adulterated coconut oil during 1,014 inspections conducted over the past month.
Officials said 469 samples were collected for testing, and notices were issued to 25 establishments. Legal proceedings have also been initiated against manufacturers marketing spurious coconut oil under the brand names Kerasurya, Kera Haritham and Kuttanadan Kera.
Since April this year, the department has carried out 21,030 inspections across Kerala, registering cases against 331 establishments and imposing fines amounting to Rs 63 lakh on 1,613 businesses.
With the festive season approaching, Food Safety squads will be deployed in every district from next week to strictly monitor the quality of food being produced, imported, distributed, and sold.
Night inspections are also planned, with special focus on street vendors, hotels, roadside eateries, bakeries, catering units and markets. Priority items include edible oils, ghee, jaggery, dairy products, payasam mixes, grains, vegetables, fruits and chips.
Health Minister Veena George has directed that no establishment should be allowed to operate without a valid food safety licence.
She warned that adulteration of food is a criminal offence and emphasized that substandard or misbranded items will not be tolerated.
Food business employees must hold valid health cards, and packaged products must carry clear manufacturing and expiry dates, as mandated by law.
Consumers have been advised to remain vigilant and to report violations or complaints to the toll-free number 1800 425 1125.
