Latest news with #KeralaHotelsandRestaurantsAssociation
New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Chemical scare, fishing ban put Kerala fishers in a spot
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The restrictions on fishing activities imposed along the Kerala coast after the capsizing of MSC ELSA 3 has sparked a crisis among fishermen and consumers. As alarming reports emerge of containers carrying potentially hazardous materials washing ashore, fishermen fear chemical leakage into the sea while consumers are increasingly wary about the safety of seafood reaching their plates. According to many, the demand and sale of seafood and fresh fish are likely to go on a downward spiral. Kerala has recorded the highest daily fish consumption in India with over 53.5% of the population eating fish every day. Now the fishers fear that the consumers are likely to avoid fish fearing contamination. State working president of Kerala Hotels and Restaurants Association (KHRA) C Bijulal said that the seafood menu would be adversely affected. 'There is definitely going to be a dip in demand and even if the fish is good people, out of fear of chemical contamination, are very likely to avoid such dishes in the coming days,' he said. Around 16 lakh people are working in the fishing sector across the state. 'During tsunami, we faced a similar situation. There was a sudden decline in the demand then because of bodies floating around,' said Ouseppachan P, a fish auctioneer based in Alappuzha.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Despite checks, food safety violations still rampant in city
T'puram: In the wake of a food poisoning incident in which over ten people were hospitalized after consuming shawarma from a restaurant in Manacaud in the city on Saturday, attention turned to the extensive inspections carried out by the health squad of the city corporation last month. According to the statistics available with city corporation, offences were found in 126 food outlets, including restaurants, hotels and coffee/tea shops in the city from March 1 to 31, following the inspections by the health squad. These hotels, restaurants, bakeries and wayside eateries were found operating without a licence, with employees lacking mandatory health cards. Unhygienic surroundings, improper waste management and illegal use of single-use plastic were among the most frequently reported offences. In several cases, stale food was seized and water testing reports were not submitted, raising serious concerns about the quality of food and water being served to the public. The squad also seized stale beef, mutton and other raw materials stored in the freezers. The condition of the kitchens was also pathetic and the hotel employees were living under deplorable conditions. According to corporation, most of the offences were reported in the wayside eateries and fast-food restaurants. The offences include not having a valid licence to operate, unhygienic conditions and waste mismanagement. "We served notices to these restaurants and hotels to clean up the place and ensure no stale food is served. Many of them cleaned it. However, some of the hotels continue to serve stale food and these shops will be shut down immediately. The corporation is also set to intensify inspections in the coming days and stringent action will be taken against the offenders," said a senior corporation official of the health wing. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Corporation secretary Jahamgeer S said that the inspections by the corporation intensified over the last three months. "We have been conducting inspections for the past few months. It has become a regular exercise now. In Jan, offences were reported in 102 eateries, while 91 offences were found in Feb. In fact, the inspections were conducted last year too. However, they became stringent only in the last three months. The incident that occurred at Manacaud is a serious one and we will take prompt action," he said. The food safety department also plays a role in these inspections, often working jointly with the corporation to enforce regulations. In 2024, as part of 'Operation Life', the food safety department shut down 107 establishments and issued notices to 835 others after inspections in the city. Meanwhile, according to Kerala Hotels and Restaurants Association, state vice president and Thiruvananthapuram working president, B Vijayakumar, regular inspection is necessary to ensure good quality food.
