Inspections in multiplexes in Keralam to continue

Even as overpricing of food items at multiplexes continued to be a debate in the State’s public sphere, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob said that instructions have been issued to ensure follow-up inspections in multiplexes. Strict action will be taken against any establishment found violating the law. The Minister stated that if violations for which ‘improvement notices’ have already been issued are repeated, cases will be registered and legal proceedings initiated.

The departments of Food Safety, Legal Metrology, and Consumer Affairs have been conducting State-wide surprise inspections following widespread complaints regarding the overpricing of food items and the failure to provide accurate quantities at multiplexes and cinema theatres. Out of 35 inspections conducted so far at multiplexes across various districts, 25 cases have been registered. Of these, the Legal Metrology department registered 15 cases, while the Consumer Affairs department and the Food department registered four cases each. The Food Safety department registered two cases.

During an inspection at a multiplex in Kollam on Thursday, the Food Safety department shut down a shop operating without a license and registered a case. Ice cream stored in the freezer was found to contain traces of hair and insects, alongside expired milk. Expired and non-expired items were being stored together. A notice was issued to the operator, paving the way for the imposition of a heavy fine. A case was also registered because the weight was not recorded on the popcorn bill.

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

Discrepancies found included a shortfall of up to 25 g in popcorn (advertised as 75 g) and up to 35 ml in soft drinks. Regulations mandate that weighing scales must be accurate, stamped, and certified before use. Cases have been registered against three theatrers under Sections 24 and 33 for failing to comply with these regulations.

A case was also registered against an establishment for lacking the mandatory declarations required under Rule 6(1) of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules. Additionally, seven cases have been registered under Section 34 of the Legal Metrology Act against establishments selling items using non-standard size designations—such as ‘Large,’ ‘Medium,’ and ‘Small’ — without specifying the exact quantity. Instructions have been issued to ensure the adequate availability of drinking water in multiplexes.