Thiruvananthapuram: Health Minister K Muraleedharan has stated that food safety inspections will be stepped up at establishments delivering Onasadya and other food parcels through online platforms. Authorities will inspect the quality of raw materials and packaged food items stored at distribution centres, storage conditions, the presence of expired or spoiled products, labelling and batch details.

Special focus on pappadams, jaggery and coconut oil

Labelling details, manufacturing and expiry dates, batch numbers and licence information for items such as pappadams, jaggery, coconut oil and ghee will undergo strict scrutiny. Samples will be collected and dispatched to laboratories to ensure quality standards.

Inspections have already been intensified across hotels, restaurants, catering facilities and cloud kitchens. As part of the Onam Squad drive, 5,016 inspections have been conducted across the state so far.

Notices were issued to 705 establishments where violations were detected, and recommendations have been made to impose fines on 390 units.