Food Safety News

Food delivery platform Zomato enforced a ban on 'Analog Paneer' (synthetic paneer made with vegetable oil and starch). Multiple Kerala restaurants were warned to remove these items from their menus as they violate FSSAI labeling norms.

A total of 22 eateries were ordered to shut down across Kozhikode district following 862 inspections. Lapses included lack of license, use of unsafe plastic for packing, and unhygienic premises.

Establishment sealed during 'Operation Onam' surprise raids by the Food Safety Department after inspectors found serious hygiene lapses and potential food contamination.

Mobile testing labs intercepted vehicles carrying milk and ghee; several samples were sent for lab analysis for synthetic color and preservative violations.

Immediate ban imposed by FSSAI on "Compounded Hing" products due to pervasive starch contamination (exceeding 1% limit) found in multiple batches.

FSSAI ordered an immediate ban on the sale of "Compounded Asafoetida" (Hing) after samples were found to be misbranded and sub-standard (alcohol-soluble extract was 0%).

Failed a third-party FSSAI food safety audit. Lapses included rodent droppings in kitchens, reheating food multiple times, and poor personal hygiene of staff.

As part of the 'Safe Onam' drive, officials seized 1,903 units of expired and misbranded food items from multiple dark stores and warehouses.

Statutory notice issued for violating food safety norms and maintaining unhygienic kitchen conditions.

Municipality served a statutory notice following the discovery of unhygienic food storage and stale items.

Found serving/storing stale food products during a morning raid (7:30 AM) in the Varkala region.

Health officials seized stale and unsafe food items during a flash inspection; notice issued for hygiene violations.

Notice served by Varkala Municipality health officials after a raid found stale and unfit food items being stored for service.

Withdrew misleading health and nutrient-comparison claims following FSSAI notices served during a broader crackdown on deceptive food marketing affecting major brands sold in Kerala.

FSSAI directed the removal of misleading '100%' claims from '100% Pure Coconut Oil' labels and the 'Energy Drink' descriptor from caffeinated beverages; corrective actions confirmed for products distributed in Kerala.

Collective fine imposed on 33 establishments during a mass raid of 77 eateries in Kochi. Violations included sale of stale food, use of banned synthetic colors, absence of health cards for staff, and lack of scientific waste management.

Flagged by FSSAI for multiple misleading claims on baby food products (including 'pure', 'natural', 'boost immunity', and comparative calcium claims) and operating without a mandatory e-commerce license category.

A major raid on 77 establishments in Kochi (Vyttila, Kaloor, Broadway, etc.) found stale food, banned synthetic colors, unlabelled items, and lack of health cards. 33 shops were fined and those with serious lapses were temporarily closed.

FSSAI flagged multiple misleading claims on baby food products, including unverified health benefits like 'boost immunity' and 'support stronger bones,' and '100% Vegan' claims without endorsement. The selling website was ordered shut until rectification.

The Pathanamthitta District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered the cafe to pay compensation after a customer contracted a Salmonella infection from consuming 'Al-faham'. The cafe's manager failed to appear for the hearing.

Ordered by the District Consumer Redressal Commission to pay compensation after a customer contracted a Salmonella infection from consuming stale Alfaham. The ruling was finalized and reported extensively on Aug 23-24.

Enforcement of new regulation against reusing edible oil more than three times. Multiple roadside eateries and hotels were penalized under this category to curb the increase of harmful polar compounds in fried foods.

Prosecution cases were filed in Judicial First-Class Magistrate courts against major brands for selling chilli powder found to be harmful to health. A total compounding fine of ₹26 lakh was finalized for 191 firms in the district.

Recommendations for imposing fines were issued against 390 establishments across Kerala. The 'Onam Squad' detected violations in food preparation, packing, and temperature control, focusing on seasonal items like jaggery and coconut oil.

Seizure of stale food during a health department drive; the establishment was warned against serving expired food to customers.

Inspection of kitchen and storage facilities revealed unhygienic conditions and the presence of expired ingredients.

Notice served following the seizure of reportedly unsafe food items during a municipality-wide drive to ensure festive season food safety.

Health officials seized stale food during a morning raid. The hotel was directed to take immediate corrective measures to comply with hygiene standards.

Served a notice by the Varkala Municipality health wing after inspections uncovered stale and unsafe food items unfit for human consumption.

Inspected and served notice for storage of unfit food items; authorities directed immediate corrective measures for hygiene compliance.

Municipality health squad served notice after discovering unsafe and stale food products during routine morning inspections.

Health officials seized stale food items and served an improvement notice for hygiene violations during a municipality-led raid.

Notice issued by health officials in Varkala after inspections revealed the storage of stale and unfit food items on the premises.

Served a notice by Varkala municipality following the seizure of stale and unsafe food items during a pre-Onam inspection drive.

Intensified inspections at cloud kitchens and online purchasing platform distribution centers. Authorities issued 705 notices for improper labeling, missing batch details, and the storage of damaged/expired products.

22 establishments were issued immediate closure notices following 862 inspections. Violations included severe hygiene lapses, improper storage, and operating without valid FSSAI licenses during the Onam special vigil.

As part of a massive drive (862 inspections), 22 establishments were issued closure notices for serious violations of the Food Safety Act, and 220 others were served notices.

A raid led by the Aluva Municipal Health Department seized significant quantities of stale beef, chicken curry, fish curry, ghee rice, and fried chicken stored in freezers. The food was intended to be heated and served to passengers.

Special squads detected the use of prohibited artificial colors in banana chips and 'sharkara varatti' snacks. Samples were seized for lab testing, and warnings were issued regarding unsafe coloring agents under 'Operation Safe Onam'.

License suspended and restaurant closed after nearly 50 diners reported food poisoning. Health officials confirmed Shigella infection in three cases linked to the restaurant's Kuzhimanthi and mayonnaise.

The cafeteria was allowed to reopen on August 19 after being sealed for operating a dry pantry without the mandatory FSSAI license. The closure had followed a recent inspection uncovering the licensing lapse.

FSSAI identified misleading '100%' claims on multiple baby food products (e.g., '100% Ragi', '100% Kerala Banana Powder') and the use of '100% Vegan' labels without required endorsements. The operator agreed to withdraw the misleading packaging.

FSSAI issued an enforcement notice for misleading '100%' claims on various baby food products, including '100% Ragi' and '100% Kerala Banana Powder,' as well as an unauthorized '100% Vegan' claim without required endorsement.

Fines imposed on two food establishments for operating in extremely unhygienic conditions and selling stale food items discovered during a joint inspection drive by the Health and Food Safety departments.

Ordered to shut down after a customer reportedly found a dead lizard inside a loaf of bread, leading to an immediate health department inspection.

Stop memos were issued to several evening wayside eateries at Cotton Hill and Paruthipara. The establishments were found operating without mandatory licenses, often using exemptions meant for small individual vendors incorrectly.

Food safety inspections at six outlets in Kadavanthra uncovered serious lapses including the use of banned food coloring, storage of stale milk, and missing employee health records.

Illegal operation of street food stalls linked to a major hotel racket. Stalls were found operating without valid FSSAI licenses, encroaching on public roads, and lacking basic hygiene protocols.

Seizure of stale frozen beef, chicken curry, fish curry, ghee rice, and fried chicken during a surprise raid. The food was found stored in freezers for reheating and serving to travelers.

Seven eateries were inspected in the Ernakulam town area during a joint drive by the Health and Food Safety wings. Fines were imposed for hygiene-related violations and lack of required water quality reports.

A joint inspection drive by the Health and Food Safety departments across the Ernakulam town area resulted in fines for seven establishments due to various hygiene violations and the absence of required food safety records.

Special squad inspections targeting the quality of Onam essentials. Violations noted for improper labeling and storage of rice, pulses, and vegetables; notices issued to rectify shortfalls within 24 hours.

Ordered to shut down immediately after officials detected multiple serious violations, including storage of unfit food items and employees working without mandatory health cards.

Joint inspection of seven establishments revealed missing drinking water quality test reports and lack of mandatory FSSAI license displays. Drinking water samples were collected for further laboratory testing.

As part of the intensified Onam inspection, squads identified severe violations in a local catering unit including the use of unboiled water and improper storage of raw materials. Rectification notices were issued.

Health Minister K. Muraleedharan announced that 390 establishments were recommended for fines following 5,016 inspections under the 'Onam Squad' drive. 705 notices were issued for violations regarding hygiene, labeling of Onam essentials (jaggery, ghee, oil), and improper storage.

Fines were imposed on seven eateries in the Ernakulam town area during a joint inspection drive by the Health Department, Food Safety wing, and Police. Violations included poor hygiene and failure to produce water quality test reports.

A sweet shop was sealed by food safety officials after school students fell ill from consuming worm-infested laddoos distributed during Independence Day celebrations. Samples were seized for laboratory testing.

A joint drive at six outlets found use of banned food coloring, stale milk, absence of health cards, and missing drinking water test reports.

Following a surprise inspection of 10 eateries in Vyttila, three hotels were fined for hygiene violations and one establishment was ordered to shut down immediately.

The bakery was fined and shut down indefinitely after a customer discovered a dead lizard baked inside a loaf of bread. The incident resulted in the consumer requiring medical attention for food poisoning.

Streetside food stall shut at Vyttila; fines imposed on three shops following collection of drinking water samples for testing.

Seized stale beef, chicken curry, fish curry, and ghee rice stored in freezers for distribution during a municipality health wing raid.

Health squad raid in Adoor town led to the seizure of spoiled food items and issuance of an improvement notice.

Significant quantities of stale food items seized during a coordinated municipality health drive.

Found operating under unhygienic conditions with expired ingredients in stock at High School Junction.

Stale food seized during a series of raids in Adoor town; fine proceedings initiated.

Health department raid found unhygienic food storage and lack of proper waste management facilities at High School Junction.

High School Junction branch found storing stale fish and vegetables; notice issued for immediate rectification.

Violations included storage of expired meat and failure to provide water quality analysis reports.

Health squad seized stale cooked food and noted unhygienic conditions during a night-time surprise inspection.

Inspection at the Adoor Bypass outlet revealed storage of unfit food items and lack of mandatory health cards for staff.

Found using expired food ingredients and failing to maintain proper waste disposal systems at the Adoor Bypass branch.

Raid by Adoor health wing uncovered the storage of stale food items and unhygienic kitchen conditions.

Seized 50 kg of stale fish and other expired food items during a flash raid by the Adoor Municipality health department. Faced resistance from hotel association leaders during inspection.

Dead lizards found in a loaf of bread; establishment ordered to shut down indefinitely due to severe hygiene violations and possession of banned single-use plastics.

Aluva Municipality ordered closure after finding spoiled raw meat, fried meat, and biryani stored for prolonged periods and allegedly reheated for service.

Eateries fined for serving stale food and operating under unhygienic conditions.

Two eateries were fined a total of ₹6,000 following a joint food safety inspection in the Kaloor and Kadavanthra areas.

Hotel ordered to shut down following a joint food safety inspection.

Eateries fined following a joint food safety inspection for hygiene and safety violations.

Officials seized stale and unhygienic food from four hotels during a surprise inspection.