Though following the complaints of food poisoning Kerala government made health cards mandatory for restaurant employees, according to reports, the cards are available just for 200 rupees without seeing the applicant in person.
Since February 1, the Department of Food Safety has made health cards mandatory and officials are issuing certificates without following the norms.
According to norms, those who handle food must get a health card once a year. Medical examination is essential for this. The health card is made mandatory to find out if the applicant has any diseases like infectious diseases, cysts etc.
The criteria prescribed by the government are physical examination, eyesight test, blood test and skin test for each applicant to get this. These certificates should be verified by the Medical Officer. Based on this, the government has suggested that the certificate should be issued in the presence of the applicant.
However, it has been alleged that contrary to this, it is being done in many places in the district. Most of the people working in food distribution centres in the district are from other states. The management of the institution does not have any of its records.
Later, it was alleged that health cards are now issued by going to government hospital offices and getting the official seal.
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