Kochi food safety raids at 15 snack-making units across Ernakulam district have uncovered unhygienic conditions, nearly 30 kg of spoiled carrots and the suspected reuse of cooking oil, prompting action against multiple establishments.
The inspections were conducted by Food Safety Department officials as part of the second phase of Operation Thelima, a state-wide enforcement drive targeting unhygienic food preparation and the repeated use of cooking oil. Five squads carried out the checks from 5.30 am to 9 am.
The operation covered areas including Chullickal, Ponnurunni, Palarivattom, Karukappilly, the Ernakulam Market, Pallimukku and Aluva. Officials inspected centres producing fried snacks such as banana fritters, samosas, cutlets, vadas and bajis, along with other food outlets and roadside establishments.
Nearly 30 kg of spoiled carrots stored for use in samosas and other snacks was seized from one premises and destroyed. Prepared snacks made in unhygienic conditions were also confiscated and destroyed. Officials noticed the use of old cooking oil at some locations and collected three surveillance samples to assess the quality of the oil.
Action to close two establishments has been initiated, while recommendations for penalty proceedings have been submitted in eight cases. Notices directing six establishments to address deficiencies were also issued, according to the officials who led the inspection.
The inspections found violations of Schedule 4 standards under the food safety regulations, which prescribe hygiene and sanitary requirements for food businesses. Officials also found that some establishments were using newspaper to handle or wrap food. The report did not provide the names of the establishments involved or the proposed penalties.
Operation Thelima is being conducted by the state Food Safety Department at hotels, bakeries and snack-making units to identify unhygienic conditions and prevent the repeated use of cooking oil. The enforcement drive focuses particularly on fried-snack production centres, roadside stalls and eateries.
The department has previously conducted a first phase of the operation across Kerala, during which thousands of litres of used cooking oil were seized and establishments found violating standards were closed. The current inspections form the second phase of the programme, with further enforcement action expected after the collected oil samples are assessed.
