The district collector of Kerala’s Idukki has asked Kera Sakthi Oil to pay a ₹7 lakh fine for distributing expired coconut oil to the people in a tribal colony. The oil was a part of the government’s food kit distributed in June. After consuming the oil, people from 60 families suffered food poisoning. The company owner has been asked to pay the fine within 15 days.
District Collector Slaps ₹7 Lakh Fine On Kera Sakthi Oil In Kerala
Kera Sakthi Oil has been slapped with a fine of ₹7 lakh by the Idukki collector in Kerala. As per an Onmanorama report, families in the tribal colony of Venniyani were supplied with coconut oil as part of the government’s food kit distributed in June. The private firm has been fined for supplying expired coconut oil to the people and compromising their health.
As per the report, Shijas P A, owner of Star Foods, which supplied the oil, has been ordered by the collector to pay the fine within 15 days. The company is facing charges of misbranding and selling substandard products under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006.
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60 Families Suffered Food Poisoning In A Tribal Colony Of Idukki
Family members of more than 60 families in Venniyani suffered food poisoning after consuming the expired coconut oil by Kera Sakthi Oil. Reportedly, many of them were even hospitalised. Seeing this, the food safety department organised a medical camp in the colony. They also took oil samples for testing. The collected samples were sent to a lab in Kochi and confirmed that the oil was indeed expired.
Onmanorama also reported that Shijas P A obtained registration for his firm by using fake details. Keeping the seriousness of the matter in mind, the Idukki district collector slapped a fine of ₹7 lakh on Kera Sakthi Oil. They have also asked for the fine to be settled within 15 days.
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This is a truly concerning matter. Expired and substandard food products compromise the health of people and should not be taken lightly! We are glad that the district authorities took quick and stern action to prevent the oil company from doing any further damage.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (representative image)