Over ₹1.6 lakh imposed as fines in food safety crackdown in Kerala’s Kollam

The Food Safety department has intensified its crackdown on non-compliant food business operators in Kollam district, inspecting 1,497 establishments over a span of three months to enforce strict quality standards.

At a comprehensive review meeting held at the District Collectorate on Friday (July 10, 2026), officials said that a total fine of ₹1,67,900 was slapped on various businesses found violating statutory safety protocols. During these drives, 223 erring establishments were served statutory notices, and 14 eateries that failed to meet basic hygiene and food safety benchmarks were ordered to suspend operations immediately.

Furthermore, 918 food samples collected from different parts of the district have been sent for detailed laboratory analysis, while 42 cases regarding serious violations are currently being prosecuted in court.

Targeted inspections

Under the ‘Clean Kerala’ campaign, the department carried out 509 targeted inspections and took 103 suspect food samples to State laboratories for testing. Additionally, squads were deployed for the ‘Operation Safe Summer’ initiative conducted between March and May, resulting in 443 spot checks and the issuance of notices to 97 establishments.

Special food safety squads were also active during the Ramzan festive season, inspecting 149 vendors and serving notices to 28 businesses for failing to maintain standard culinary hygiene.

Task forces

In an effort to expand its surveillance network, the Food Safety department formed joint task forces with other key government sectors to monitor high-risk zones. These inter-departmental squads systematically combed through school kitchens, orphanages, old-age homes, tourist hotspots, and areas surrounding prominent places of worship designated as festival zones.

Taking strict note of criminal non-compliance, the food safety officials have directed the police to launch an immediate probe and submit a report on a sealed private firm. The private enterprise, which had previously been shut down and sealed by authorities for manufacturing adulterated coconut oil, was reportedly found illegally operational again.