Onam vigil: five special squads in action to expose low-quality food products

Strengthening its fight against adulteration and unhygienic practices, the Food Safety department has deployed five special squads with mobile lab testing facilities for aggressive checking during the Onam season in Kozhikode.

Within a week after the special drive was launched, the squads inspected 385 shops — including wayside eateries, hotels, bakeries, and restaurants — to expose erring food business units.

“We have already sent 180 samples for detailed lab inspection. As many as 48 persons were served notices,” said a senior officer. He added that nine shops had already been issued closure notices for not complying with food safety licensing norms.

Considering the high price of coconut oil and the increasing demand in view of the Onam season, the special squads have been asked to keep an eye on the purity of packaged products available in the market. Sample collection has been continuing for more than three months as part of the market vigil. Food safety department officials said they had so far collected over 170 samples for lab tests.

“The quality of three coconut oil brands has been found poor and the samples have been sent for further lab inspections at Central Food Lab. Action will be initiated soon against Tripthi coconut oil marketed by Renuka oil Mills and two other types of Bhadras Kerapriyam coconut oil,” said a Food Safety department officer who is now coordinating the inspections. He added more samples would be collected from all suspected spots. 

Food Safety Assistant Commissioner A. Sakeer Hussain pointed out that the marketing of testa oil extracted from the brown outer layer of a coconut was being promoted and branded as real coconut oil, which would have to be examined closely by the buyers. He said the customers should closely checked the labels on the packages and ensure purity.

Food Safety squads also made it clear that the raw sale of unpacked coconut oil from the unregistered entrepreneurs would be taken up as an offence. Either they have to immediately stop the trade or secure permission from the police to ensure a lawful affair with accountability, they said.