Commissionerate of Food Safety (CFS)
Mission
- To ensure that food sold in the State is safe and fit for consumption.
- To ensure the compliance of best standards and practices for providing safe food at all levels from Farm to Fork.
- To help in the development and maintaining "Food Safety Culture" among the citizens of the State.
- To make "Safe and Nutritious Food" a way of life in Kerala
Vision
- To work hand in hand with the community towards building Kerala into a model State renowned for its Food Safety and quality, thereby achieving the realization of our motto - "Safe Food for Healthy Life".
The Kerala Food Safety Department is responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of food consumed within the state. Key functions include:
- Licensing and Registration: Issuing licenses and registrations to food businesses, ensuring they meet safety and hygiene standards.
- Inspection and Surveillance: Conducting regular inspections of food businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and food processing units.
- Food Testing: Analysing food samples to detect contaminants, adulteration, and other safety hazards.
- Consumer Awareness: Educating the public about food safety practices, hygiene, and the importance of choosing safe food.
- Enforcement: Taking action against businesses that violate food safety regulations, including fines and closures.
The department plays a crucial role in protecting public health by ensuring a safe and hygienic food supply for the people of Kerala.
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 assures legal entitlements for safety and quality of food from production to consumption by giving equal weightage to enforcement and analytical machinery, at the same time diligently nudging every responsible citizen to uphold the standards.
The "Food Safety on Wheels" (FSW) initiative by the Commissionerate of Food Safety Kerala is a mobile outreach program designed to enhance food safety awareness and enforcement across the state. Each of Kerala's 14 districts is equipped with an FSW vehicle, serving as a mobile food testing laboratory and educational unit.
These vehicles are instrumental in conducting preliminary testing of food samples, particularly in remote areas and during large public gatherings. They facilitate the transportation of samples to the nearest food testing laboratories, ensuring a cold chain is maintained for regulatory and surveillance purposes. Additionally, FSW units function as offsite extensions of laboratories, providing on-the-spot testing services.
Beyond testing, FSWs play a crucial role in educating consumers about food safety laws and hygiene practices. They disseminate Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials in local languages, conduct training sessions for street food vendors, and assist food business operators with licensing and registration processes. The initiative also includes awareness programs targeting schools, workplaces, and community organizations to foster a culture of food safety throughout Kerala.
During significant events like the Sabarimala pilgrimage, FSWs are deployed at key locations such as Nilakkal, Pamba, and Sannidhanam to ensure the safety and quality of food offered to pilgrims. They conduct inspections of food establishments, test raw materials used in prasadam preparation, and ensure compliance with food safety standards.
Through the "Food Safety on Wheels" program, Kerala aims to make food safety more accessible and enforceable, ensuring that safe and wholesome food is available to all its citizens.
The Commissionerate of Food Safety Kerala operates several food testing laboratories to ensure the safety and quality of food products across the state. These laboratories are located in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, and Kozhikode, with each facility accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). They are equipped with advanced instruments like LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, and ICP-OES, enabling comprehensive analysis of various food items.
The labs test a wide range of products, including milk, cereals, spices, beverages, oils, and packaged drinking water, to detect contaminants and ensure compliance with food safety standards. Additionally, a district-level laboratory in Pathanamthitta focuses on testing offerings related to the Sabarimala pilgrimage.
Mobile food testing labs also operate across Kerala, facilitating on-the-spot testing and public awareness initiatives. These services are accessible to the public for a nominal fee, contributing to the state's commitment to providing safe and wholesome food to its citizens.
Visit: https://foodsafety.kerala.gov.in/en/food-testing-lab/
Office of the Commissioner of Food Safety
Thycaud P.O,
Thiruvananthapuram – 695014, Kerala
Phone: 0471-2322833, 2322844
Email: foodsafetykerala@gmail.com
