The Kerala government banned food packages without expiration dates or best-before labels on 21 Jan 2023 in response to reports of food poisoning in the State. State Health Minister Veena George stated that the label should include information such as the manufacture date and time, the packing date and time, and the expiration date.

The decision was made as part of the campaign against restaurants and cafes selling tainted food. A few cases of food poisoning have lately occurred in Kerala, and some of them have even been fatal. As a response, the Health Department has issued guidelines for restaurants that include obtaining a license and registration, keeping up with hygiene standards, and maintaining cleanliness.

According to food safety regulations, products in high-risk hot food segments must be consumed within two hours of preparation. When such dishes are supplied, they should be conveyed at a temperature of 60°C. When such dishes are kept for more than 2 hours, they can become detrimental to one’s health and unfit for consumption.

The food safety agency has mandated that all hotel personnel carry health cards. Any hotel or restaurant found employing employees who do not have health cards will be prohibited from functioning from 01 Feb 2023 and its details will be published on the website.

A special task force has been constituted in the state to strengthen food safety inspections across the state. The task force will be led by the deputy commissioner for food safety. They will perform covert operations in marketplaces, and restaurants to inspect the quality of foods given to customers. They will forward the information to the food safety commissioner for further investigation. The task force has also been given the responsibility of reporting about restaurants or food establishments that are operating without licenses.