The death of a nurse due to food poisoning from a hotel in Kottayam Sankranti and the death of many people from the food distributed at the baptism ceremony in Pathanamthitta Mallapally are news that Kerala heard with concern in the past few days. These incidents serve as a lesson that the stakeholders have a responsibility to ensure that any food product is of good quality and safe.

It is a very serious matter that food poisoning has now occurred from a hotel which was closed and reopened after two months ago after a widespread complaint was made by the health department of the municipality. On the same day the nurse ate, some others who ate from this hotel sought treatment in hospitals.

When the food we buy from outside is not good, it is mixed with the bitterness of a great betrayal. When that food is the cause of death, it is the extreme of betrayal. With the increase in food poisoning incidents, the question arises as to whether our food safety department is becoming more vigilant and increasing the number of inspections.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) report released last year called for immediate follow-up, stating that the state food safety department has failed to ensure that substandard food items do not reach the people. How far have we progressed in that direction despite questioning the effectiveness of the system responsible for ensuring quality food?

The CAG report pointed out that even if food items are said to be edible after being tested in laboratories under the department, they are not necessarily edible. This is because laboratories do not have the facility to test all the components of food. Last June, the outbreak of food poisoning in Anganwadis and some schools in the state at the very beginning of the academic year was a cause for concern. According to the CAG report, it was found that food samples were taken from Anganwadis in only 7 circles while the inspection was conducted in 13 circles.

After every food poisoning that comes to public attention, there are tests and measures. We often see that the authorities are dead until the next incident after such inspections are over soon. In the wake of food poisoning, yesterday, many places in the state were inspected and action was taken. The extent to which such temporary moves can ensure food quality is a serious concern. It may be recalled that in 2014, following the food poisoning incident in Thiruvananthapuram, the High Court had directed that food safety officers should conduct periodic inspections to ensure the quality of hotel food.

A bill related to the implementation of a grading system to ensure the safety and cleanliness of food in hotels is under consideration by the government. Another reality is that food quality cannot be ensured only by inspection in hotels etc. Foods ranging from rice, pulses, oil to vegetables should also be clean. More caution is needed in the case of fish and meat. Food poisoning can be completely prevented only if the authorities pay attention to these areas as well. The regular ministerial statement that strict action will be taken against those who add adulterants to food items was not carried out. It is necessary to make it practical and widespread and create trust in the government systems among the people.

Quality food is the right of the people; The government is bound to ensure it. Strict action should be taken against the violators in this regard.compromised

Summary: Food Poison- Food safety should not be compromised.