India (Commonwealth Union)_ In the aftermath of recent food poisoning incidents in Kerala, the state government has mandated health certificates for all hotel personnel as part of strict efforts to maintain hygiene in food businesses. Accordingly, the Health Minister, Veena George, announced that as of February 1, hotels or restaurants will not be permitted to operate if they employ personnel who do not carry health cards. Additionally, if it is discovered that an employee lacks a health card, the institution will be shut down immediately and its information will be made public.
The new law, which aims to prevent the spread of food-borne diseases, applies to all types of food production and distribution facilities. According to Health Minister Veena George, “The shops that were closed down by the department shall be allowed to reopen if the shortcomings are addressed. Besides, shop owners should submit an affidavit that all employees shall undergo food safety training and certification (FoSTaC) in two weeks and also register for hygiene rating in a month”.
In accordance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, the staff must pass medical examinations and acquire health certifications. The institutions will be closed if they fail to fulfill the required processes or produce phony certificates during inspections. There are several reports of such employees using fraudulent certificates. With the assistance of the Department of Labor, state food safety regulators will conduct inspections at hotel employees’ residences. Priority will also be given to the deployment of health inspectors of the Department of Health to undertake different food safety checks.
The minister stated that the food safety commissioner had been instructed to undertake thorough inspections of food facilities in order to discover even the smallest violations. Health cards must be obtained from licensed medical professionals. The hotel staff must undergo blood testing and physical exams. In addition to guaranteeing proper eyesight, the tests will primarily identify infections, transmissible illnesses, and skin problems. Workers may request a second blood test if they have any doubts about the first results. Doctors must also check that the concerned individual has received the necessary vaccinations.
The certificate template is available on the website of the Food Safety Commissionerate. The certificates and test results should be stored at workplaces and shown to officials upon request. The health cards must be renewed every six months by completing medical examinations, including blood tests. The Kerala High Court requested a detailed report from the Health and Family Welfare Department Secretary regarding the recent food poisoning cases in the state. The Division Bench, composed of Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Chaly, ordered the Health Department to attach the details of the disciplinary measures taken against the offenders.
When a student in Kasaragod died of food poisoning last year, the High Court took the issue upon itself. Following the incident, the government of Kerala then issued a report detailing the measures taken to ensure food safety in the state. In view of the recent events, the HC re-examined the appeal. Recently, the High Court requested an answer from the government about media reports of dead cattle meat being transported to Kerala from Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul.
Moreover, around 112 food facilities were shuttered across the state within the last ten days. The department of food safety performed inspections at more than 3000 food production and distribution facilities in the past ten days. The food enterprises were shut down because they were discovered to be operating in unsanitary conditions and without permits. Additional notices have been sent to 578 restaurants. The most recent food poisoning incidence was recorded in North Paravur, and more than 70 individuals were hospitalized after eating at a restaurant there. Similarly, a nurse at the Kottayam Government Medical College hospital felt nausea after eating at a restaurant and passed away following a few days of treatment.
