Responding to mounting public complaints over the wholesale production and distribution of low-quality snacks, Food Safety squads have launched intensified inspections across Kozhikode district, shutting down four suspected units in the city.
Officials said legal action was initiated against units allegedly supplying unhygienic and substandard snacks to major hotels. During early morning raids, squads reportedly found contaminated water and poor-quality edible oil being used for cooking in unsanitary conditions.
Midnight production, no labelling
Authorities noted that many such units operated during midnight hours to complete distribution by early morning. None of the inspected units had proper labelling, making traceability difficult.
With Ramzan approaching, there has reportedly been a surge in small-scale snack production units targeting the festive market. Many hotels and wayside eateries were said to be sourcing from these suppliers due to lower prices.
Food-based entrepreneur N. Raseena from Karaparamba welcomed the crackdown, stating that unlicensed operators were affecting genuine traders, including women engaged in home-based snack production.
Kozhikode tops adulteration cases
In 2024, Kozhikode recorded the highest number of food adulteration cases in Kerala, with 282 cases registered. These included 137 prosecution cases before Judicial First Class Magistrate Courts and 145 adjudication cases at Revenue Divisional Offices.
Officials revealed that jaggery was among the most adulterated food items detected in lab tests.
Last year alone, special squads conducted 14,363 inspections in the district and registered over 270 cases for serious violations, particularly against junk food dealers and wayside eateries.
To improve standards, the department has introduced a grading system for food businesses based on hygiene, safe water handling, complaint redressal and other parameters. Over 100 hotels in Kozhikode have completed the grading process with satisfactory results.