Food safety inspections: Govt exchequer receive Rs 2.37 cr in fines in fiscal year 2022-23

Sunday 07 May, 2023 | 8:48 PM READ MALAYALAM VERSION

KOTTAYAM: The food safety department, which became active after the death of two people due to food poisoning, brought Rs 2.37 crore to the government exchequer in fines last financial year. After the death of a nurse in Kottayam after eating kuzhimandhi and a student in Kozhikode after eating shawarma, the inspection was made widespread under the name of 'Operation Shawarma'.

4800 inspections were conducted in the financial year 2021-22 which brought in fine of Rs 53.61 lakh fine. In 2022-23, inspections increased to 10,500 and fines jumped to Rs 2.37 crore. 95% of the hotels that have been closed and fined these days serve Arabian cuisine. Most of the seized food items are grilled chicken dishes with mayonnaise. More inspections were done in Thiruvananthapuram- 2553. Fewer in tourism centres like Idukki and Wayanad with less than 150 inspections each. Hefty fines were imposed on eateries in Kottayam and Kozhikode, where the deaths occurred. The fine imposed in Kottayam has increased from Rs 2 lakhs to 12 lakhs. In Kozhikode, fines jumped from Rs 13 lakhs to 24 lakhs.

Fine amount in lakhs

Thiruvananthapuram : 41.40

Kollam: 19.86

Pathanamthitta: 15.66

Alappuzha: 11.92

Kottayam : 12.69

Idukki : 4.09

Ernakulam: 20.56

Thrissur: 23.12

Palakkad: 16.09

Malappuram: 9.64

Wayanad : 5.24