Inspections at multiplexes in Kerala will continue

Officials recently inspected a food stall at a multiplex in a mall in Kochi. | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO

Even as food overpricing in multiplexes continued to be debated in the state’s public sphere, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob said instructions had been issued to ensure follow-up checks at multiplexes. Strict action will be taken against any establishment that violates the law. The minister said that if violations for which “improvement notices” have already been issued are repeated, cases will be registered and legal proceedings will be initiated.

The Department of Food Safety, Legal Metrology and Consumer Affairs is carrying out nationwide surprise checks following widespread complaints of food overpricing and failure to provide accurate quantities at multiplexes and cinemas. Out of 35 checks carried out so far in multiplexes in various districts, 25 cases were registered. Of these, the Department of Legal Metrology recorded 15 cases, the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Department of Food recorded four cases each. The Food Safety Department registered two cases.

The Food Safety Department on Thursday, during an inspection at a multiplex in Kollam, shut down an outlet operating without a license and registered a case. Ice cream stored in the freezer contained traces of hair and insects in addition to stale milk. Passed and failed items were stored together. A notice was issued to the operator, paving the way for a hefty fine to be imposed. A case was also registered because the weight was not recorded on the popcorn receipt.

The Legal Metrology Department has so far collected ₹62,000 in fines. Four cases were registered under Section 30 of the Legal Metrology Act 2009 due to significant shortfalls in the amount of popcorn and soft drinks sold. The possibility of the police registering cases and taking further action is also being examined.

Irregularities found included missing up to 25g in popcorn (advertised as 75g) and up to 35ml in soft drinks. Regulations mandate that scales must be accurate, stamped and certified before use. According to § 24 and § 33, lawsuits were filed against three theaters for non-compliance with these regulations.

Proceedings were also registered against the establishment for failure to make the mandatory declarations required under Rule 6(1) of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules. In addition, seven cases were registered under Section 34 of the Legal Metrology Act against businesses selling items with non-standard size designations – such as “large”, “medium” and “small” – without specifying the exact quantity. Instructions have been issued to ensure adequate availability of drinking water in multiplexes.

Published – 11 Sep 2026 20:46 IST