Kerala: 43 Eateries Shut After Statewide Food Safety Raids, Kottayam Health Supervisor Suspended

The food safety department conducted inspections at 429 food joints across the state after a nurse died of food poisoning on Monday

Kerala Health Minister Veena George. ( Image Source :ANI )

In a statewide crackdown on the food joints by the Kerala food safety department on Wednesday, the licenses of 43 eateries were suspended. Of the 43 eateries, 22 outlets were shut for not maintaining hygienic premises while 21 other food joints were denied functioning for not possessing licenses.

The food safety department conducted inspections at 429 food joints across the state after a nurse died of food poisoning on Monday. The eatery in Kottayam where she had food was served a closure notice two months ago after the establishment was found functioning in unhygienic conditions. On this note, the Kottayam Municipal Health Supervisor was also suspended on Wednesday. 

Nurse, Reshmi Raj, who consumed two Arabian dishes -- Kuzhimanthi and al-faham -- at the Park hotel on December 29. She was admitted to Kottayam Medical College in a serious condition and died after three days. Several others were reportedly affected by food poisoning after consuming food from the Park Hotel in Kottayam city.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George said that the health department has conducted inspections after the death of a nurse in Kottayam after allegedly having food from a hotel. "Notices were issued to 138 institutions. 44 samples have been sent for testing. The health department has conducted inspections after the death of a young woman in Kottayam after allegedly having food from a hotel," Kerala Health Minister Veena George said as quoted by news agency ANI.

Notices were issued to 138 institutions. 44 samples have been sent for testing. The health department has conducted inspections after the death of a young woman in Kottayam after allegedly having food from a hotel: State Health Minister

— ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2023