Kerala cinema theatres are facing a statewide enforcement crackdown after joint surprise inspections found short-weight food sales, incomplete labelling, missing price information, hygiene violations and inadequate access to drinking water. Twenty-six cases were registered, five show-cause notices were issued and fines totalling Rs 62,000 were imposed, according to a report by the Times of India.
The inspections were carried out by the legal metrology, food safety and civil supplies departments across several districts. The action followed complaints that theatres were charging excessive prices, failing to display prices and not providing drinking water to visitors. The checks were conducted as the second phase of follow-up inspections linked to inspections held the previous month, on the instructions of minister Anoop Jacob.
Several violations involved differences between the quantities printed on food packets and the quantities actually sold. In Kozhikode, a 60g popcorn packet at Mallika Plex Theatre in Feroke, Cheruvannur, was found to contain 7.5g less than the declared quantity. In Kannur, popcorn sold as 65g at Archana Complex in Payyanur weighed 52g, while a 60g packet at AK Cine Palace in Cherupuzha weighed 42g. At Dev Cinemas in Kanichar, popcorn marked as 50g was also found to be short-weight.
At Dhanya Ramya Theatre in Kottayam, popcorn sold as 55g weighed 48.6g, while a 40g pack weighed 34.8g. A case was registered and a fine of Rs 5,000 was imposed. In Palakkad, an inspection at CNC Cinemas in Chunnambuthara found a 25g shortage in a packet labelled as 65g. Similar shortages were reported at Leena Theatre in Kottakkal, Malappuram.
The largest fine reported in the inspections was imposed on Matha-Madhurya Theatre in Aluva, Ernakulam. Tea sold for Rs 30 and expected to measure 210ml contained 130ml. Popcorn priced at Rs 120, which was expected to weigh 50g, weighed 16g, while cheese popcorn priced at Rs 150 weighed 70g against the declared 80g. The theatre was fined Rs 25,000 and instructed to keep drinking water in a visible location.
The inspections also identified failures in weighing-machine compliance. Cases were registered against establishments using instruments that had not been sealed or reverified on time, including SJG Cinema Theatre in Ulikkal, C Cinemas in Chengannur and theatres in Thrissur district. Notices were issued to Anupama Theatre and Velvet View Theatre in Kumarakom for using non-standard measurements.
Food safety officials registered cases over unhygienic food storage, incomplete label information, failure to renew licences, missing medical certificates for food-handling workers and failure to ensure that workers wore head caps. At Usha A/C Cinema Theatre in Kollam, a coffee sold as 130ml measured 92ml. Officials also cited incomplete labelling, missing quantities on price lists and failure to issue bills.
The civil supplies department directed theatres to display price lists and, in at least one case, arrange drinking water outside the theatre hall. The report said inspections in other districts did not detect irregularities. Further action will proceed through the cases, notices and departmental enforcement measures initiated during the inspections.
