Thrissur: As part of “Operation Monsoon,” a special drive launched by the Food Safety Department to ensure food safety during the monsoon season, extensive inspections were conducted across Thrissur district.
Special inspections were carried out at fish and meat markets in Shakthan Market, as well as hotels, schools, and anganwadis across various circles. During the inspection at Shakthan Market, officials seized and destroyed around 20 kilograms of stale fish found unfit for human consumption.
Of the 26 business establishments inspected at the market, four were found violating food safety regulations and were issued compounding notices. Seven food samples were collected and sent to the Regional Analytical Laboratory in Kakkanad for detailed examination. In addition, 56 samples were tested on the spot using the “Food Safety on Wheels” mobile laboratory.
Apart from Thrissur town, inspections were also conducted in the Irinjalakuda, Kodungallur, Kaipamangalam, Kunnamkulam, Chelakkara, Wadakkanchery, and Ollur circles. Authorities issued compounding notices to 12 establishments for serious violations and improvement notices to two others.
To detect foodborne pathogens, including the Shigella bacteria, 22 surveillance samples of food items and drinking water were collected and sent to the Kakkanad laboratory for analysis.
Assistant Commissioner of the Food Safety Department, V. S. Indu, said that strict inspections would continue across the district in the coming days to ensure food safety standards are maintained during the monsoon season.
The inspections at Shakthan Market were led by Food Safety Officers V. H. Ashraf and M. S. Sikthamol, along with Corporation Health Inspector Vinod, Mobile Food Testing Laboratory Analyst Sumesh, and Nisar.
