In a significant development on Tuesday, the Kerala High Court issued a directive compelling eateries to prominently display the date and time of food preparation on packaging, whether for items served over the counter or as parcels.
This decision arose from a petition filed by the mother of a 16-year-old girl who tragically passed away in 2022 after consuming ‘shawarma.’
Justice Devan Ramachandran, presiding over a single bench, emphasized the importance of creating awareness regarding adherence to food consumption timelines. The court further mandated regular oversight by the Food Safety Commissioner, Afsana Parveen, to ensure compliance.
The court explicitly stated that establishments failing to comply with these instructions would face necessary consequences.
During the proceedings, Commissioner Afsana Parveen apprised the court of the ‘Shawarma Guidelines’ issued by the department, specifically addressing the consumption of shawarmas. The commissioner also outlined the proactive measures taken by the state government to uphold food safety standards.