Kerala to give ‘star rating’ to hotels based on food quality, hygiene

Pathanamthitta: Government authorities in Kerala will soon issue ‘star rating’ to hotels, restaurants and other eateries based on the quality of the food they serve and the level of hygiene in which the items are prepared. Making the announcement, the state’s Health Minister Veena George said that the list of hotels under each star would be published on the website of the Commissionerate of Food Safety.

“The list will enable tourists and visitors from other districts to choose the best eateries,” said the Minister.

“Hotels are being graded as part of the measures against outlets selling unsafe food,” she added.

A school student had died in Kasaragod district of Kerala while several others were admitted to hospital after consuming stale shawarma recently. After the incident, the state government had launched widespread checks on hotels and businesses dealing with food items such as fish and jaggery.

“The new ratings will also help boost the sales of hotels offering high quality food,” the Minister pointed out.

Other official measures planned include publishing a calendar mentioning the steps to be taken by Food Safety officials during the current calendar year; constituting three-member teams at the Commissionerate-level to carry out surprise inspections at various areas in the state and check-posts and forming committees of local people to ensure safety of food served in the respective regions.