Bacteria in cocktail: Food Safety dept. files case against outlet in Keralam’s Kannur

The Food Safety department has filed a case against a popular juice outlet at Caltex in Kannur after laboratory tests detected the presence of unsafe bacteria in a cocktail served at the establishment.

The action followed an analysis done at the Regional Analytical Laboratory at Malaparamba, Kozhikode. The Kannur Circle of the Food Safety department subsequently filed a case before the Taliparamba Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO).

On September 21, several people who consumed the cocktail at the outlet reported health issues, including vomiting, diarrhoea, and headache. Several children were among those who fell ill.

Following complaints, officials from the Health and Food Safety departments, as well as the Kannur Corporation Health wing, inspected the outlet on September 23. The officials collected samples and sent them for laboratory examination.

After examining the laboratory report, Food Safety Assistant Commissioner S. Sangeeth recommended registration of a case.

As many as 55 complaints have been received by the Food Safety department so far in connection with the incident. Provision for compensation for those affected has also been included in the case.

The establishment will be permitted to resume operations once the deficiencies identified by the Food Safety department are addressed.