Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 31, (BPNS )
The state government has decided to postpone its mandate on health cards. Earlier, it was directed that the food processing units will have to ensure health cards to their employees by February 1st. But considering the request from various quarters, the deadline has been extended to February 16.
“That means, the units will get a relaxation of two weeks,” said Veena George, state health minister.
“But after that, no leniency will be shown. Also it has been decided to intensify the inspections at food processing units from February 1,” said her.
According to her, every institution engaged in food business must ensure registration and license under the Food Safety and Standards Act. Also, hygiene must be ensured at all units.
“A guideline will be prepared for reopening a unit once it is closed by food safety officers citing violation of FSS Act. Also, once a license is suspended it will be reinstated only after the nod from the State Food Safety Commissioner,” added the minister.
It was on the other day that the government decided to launch a campaign, ‘Kerala – Safe Food Place’, on February 1 to focus on ensuring food safety, hygiene, and quality at food processing units. This came against the backdrop of a spate of food poisoning cases that put the state in a bad light on the domestic and international tourism map.
It was also stated that in addition to the food safety officials, health inspectors will also conduct inspections at food processing units. The latter will be asked to ensure hygiene and health cards.
Under the health department, there are 883 health inspectors, 176 health supervisors, and 3626 junior health inspectors. There are also 160 food safety officials.
The state had earlier mandated that those units which were closed down over issues like being unhygienic will have to register for hygiene rating within a month from its opening. The employees of those units which were closed down by the officials during their inspection will also have to undergo training in food safety (FOSTAC), which will have to be completed within two weeks.
For a health card, an employee will have to present before a registered medical examiner. There the examiner will check whether an employee has any infectious or communicable diseases. For that physical examination followed by an eye test, skin examination, compliance with the schedule of the vaccine against an enteric group of diseases, and any test required to confirm any communicable or infectious disease will be carried out.
The state government had also constituted a special task force (intelligence) headed by an officer in the rank of deputy commissioner of food safety to investigate food poisoning incidents and their follow-up, check adulteration, identify those units that operate without a license, and others. The task force will directly report to the State Food Safety Commissioner.
Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court is expected to consider the food poisoning scenario on February 2.
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