Kerala extends deadline for issuing health cards to hotel workers to 16 February

The employees should be certified by a registered medical practitioner that they are free of contagious diseases and open wounds.

The health card is compulsory for employees of restaurants, hotels, catering firms and other establishments involved in cooking, serving, distributing and selling food items.

Although health cards were already required for employees involved in the preparation of food, there were no adequate inspections conducted to ensure the rule is followed.

The order has made it mandatory for all staff members in hotels, irrespective of whether they are involved in the preparation or serving food.

Earlier, the KHRA wrote a letter to the health minister, seeking an extension of the deadline till 28 February.

Related: Why food inspectors, eateries want food consuming habits to change

Kerala to intensify food inspections

Kerala Health Minister Veena George. (Facebook)

Health Minister Veena George said the Food Safety Department and health inspectors would inspect hotels, restaurants and other places where food is being cooked or distributed. Cleanliness and the employees’ health cards would be checked.

“The health card is mandatory for all staff in all establishments that are associated with cooking, distributing and sale of food. The cleanliness and the health card will be inspected by the officials at regular intervals and stern action will be taken against violators,” the minister’s office said in a statement.

The health certificate of employees obtained from a doctor should be kept in the establishment itself, the order said. Earlier, the government had banned the sale of food items without the “best before label”.

“Strict action will be taken against those who distribute food without such labels carrying details including date of cooking, packing and the best before date and time in the label,” the statement said.

Related: Current system inadequate, health inspectors tell government

KHRA seeks more time

Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association President G Jayapal. (Supplied)

South First spoke to G Jayapalan, the president of the Kerala Hotel and Restaurant’s Association (KHRA).

He said more than 25 lakh people are working in the sector and completing all the required tests to get the health card needed more time.

“All employees are ready to get health cards. But it requires more time. We have come to an agreement with a private lab to provide the required tests for people across the state and there will be camps that are being set up in all districts,” Jayapalan said.

KHRA wrote a letter to the health minister seeking an extension of the deadline.

“The Kerala Hotel & Restaurant Association has entered into an agreement with a private laboratory called Micro Health Laboratories to conduct medical examinations and issue health cards to employees of member establishments as per food safety standards,” the letter read.

The association also requested the government to ensure that the health department officers followed rules while carrying out inspections.

The health department is tasked with checking health cards, however, assessing food safety is the responsibility of the food safety department.

The KHRA said there were instances of health department officials seizing products from freezers claiming they are past the expiry date. The association said such instances would adversely impact the hotel industry as well as the tourism sector.

Burden on restaurateurs 

Jayapalan said ensuring health cards is currently the responsibility of the restaurant owner. As many employees work on temporary basis and the restaurant owners will have to shoulder a huge burden.

The state has been witnessing a spike in food poisoning incidents. A nurse working at the Kottayam Medical College died in December last year after consuming a dish from an eatery.

In the wake of such incidents, the health department had come out with instructions for eateries, like getting a licence, making registration and maintaining hygiene and cleanliness.

(With PTI inputs)