During the bygone times, people visited restaurants only for special occasions. Solitary visits to restaurants were a rare sight in those times, as most people enjoyed the company of their family while having a fine dining experience. Food prices were stagnant most of the time, and people seldom raised concerns over food safety as most items were prepared in a homely style. Over the years, this custom faded, paving the way for a new trend in food consumption in the state.

These days, people are saving a lion’s share from their monthly pay to try new cuisines from restaurants. Food craze have already taken over the youths of today, who all are rummaging nooks and corners of the city salivating for new foods.

Even if food is aplenty at home, people are tempted to order food online to not miss their daily dose of sloppy food. Dishes like shawarma, burgers, and pistachios, which were alien to Malayalees till some years back, are now the market movers. Occasionally, Kerala would gaze in shock, seeing news of food poisoning death due to Shawarma dishes. Criticism would be exchanged; banters would fill internet space, while it only takes a while for the Arabian dish to get back in demand again.

The government made health cards mandatory after learning more about the unhygienic environment in restaurants and to curb the concern among restaurant-goers about the health status of workers. Apart from this, there is a need for the constant testing of food samples, quality assurance, and hygiene in hotels and restaurants. But alas! There are not enough labs to test food samples. In the last four years, the government has spent only Rs 61.25 crore to ensure food safety.

Labs are a requisite in all districts to test food samples. Currently there are only three regional labs in the Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, and Kozhikode districts and two district labs in Pathanamthitta and Kannur. As a result, the results of food sample tests are received very late, leading to a delay in the process. There are 28 vacant posts in the regional labs, including technical assistant. While a panchayat needs a food safety officer, there are only 180 employees in the enforcement department. There is an urgent need to create more posts in the department.

People are splashing big money on food these days. Adopting vigilant mode only at the time of concern is of no real use. It is time for the government to wake up from their long slumber.