Shawarma Death Case: Kerala High Court Asks Food Safety Commissioner To Apprise Steps Taken To Ensure Safety Of Food Articles

“….The food safety authority is still very vigilant with respect to the sale of food article in question….many steps have already been taken and that this will be explained to the Court by the Food Safety Commissioner herself who is willing to appear before the Court on….”, stated Justice Devan Ramachandran.

The Court was considering a plea filed by the mother of a 16-year-old who lost her life in 2022, upon consuming the dish, 'Shawarma'.The counsels apprised the Court that the food safety authorities are vigilant and have taken many steps to ensure the safety of food articles.

Earlier, the Court had directed the eateries to exhibit the date and time of preparation of food articles on their packaging. It also directed that steps ought to be taken to create awareness amongst the public for the consumption of food articles within the stipulated time period mentioned on the product.

On an earlier occasion, the Food Safety Commissioner had submitted before the Court that several guidelines and directives have been issued to the eateries to ensure safe consumption of Shavarma within the stipulated time since one of the major reasons for causing food poisoning from Shavarma was its consumption after the stipulated time frame when it was safe for consumption.

Case Title: Prasanna E.V. v. State of Kerala & Ors.

Case Number: W.P. (C) No. 19941 of 2023