THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: "As part of Operation FOSCOS, the Food Safety Department inspected 13,100 establishments across the state to uncover unregistered or unlicensed businesses," Minister Veena George stated. 103 squads conducted inspections over four days. 1,663 establishments operating without licenses or registration were shut down. The Minister emphasized that food safety inspections will persist, aiming to encompass all food entrepreneurs under the food safety license mandate. According to the Food Safety Quality Act 2006, Section 31, all food entrepreneurs must obtain a food safety license.

Production, storage, distribution, marketing, export and import of food items without proper licensing/registration incur fines of up to Rs 10 lakh under the Food Safety Act. Actions have been taken against those operating with only registration despite falling within the licensing requirements. Operation FOSCOS has successfully licensed many food entrepreneurs. Joint Commissioner Food Safety Jacob Thomas led the license drive with Deputy Commissioners S Aji, G Raghunatha Kurup and VK Pradeep Kumar playing crucial roles.