Kerala High Court Mandates Display of Food Preparation Date and Time on Packaging

The Kerala High Court has directed eateries to prominently display the date and time of food preparation on the packaging of food items. The bench, headed by Chief Justice Devan Ramachandran, emphasized that this information must be specified on packaging, whether the food is delivered over the counter or as parcels.

The court’s directive follows a plea filed by the mother of a 16-year-old girl named Devananda, who tragically lost her life in 2022 due to food poisoning after consuming a ‘Shawarma’ dish. The incident highlighted the urgency of implementing stricter guidelines to ensure the safety of food consumed from eateries.

Several cases of food poisoning, including the death of a youth after consuming Shawarma from a restaurant in Kakkanad, Kochi, have been reported across the state recently. In response to these incidents, the court issued a stern warning of strict action against eateries that fail to comply with its order.

The Food Safety Commissioner, Afsana Parveen, apprised the court of the guidelines issued by the department regarding the consumption of Shawarmas and the steps taken by the state government to uphold food safety. The court was informed that, on January 12, the Food Safety Commissioner issued an order banning the manufacture, procurement, and sale of mayonnaise using raw eggs in the state.

Furthermore, the Food Safety Commissioner highlighted the potential risks associated with consuming Shawarma after a specific time frame since its preparation. The court has directed concerned authorities to file a counter affidavit, detailing their response to the petitioner’s claims and outlining the measures taken to enforce the court’s directive.

This decision by the Kerala High Court reflects a commitment to safeguarding consumer health by ensuring transparency in the food preparation process and holding eateries accountable for adhering to food safety standards.