Sussa Veeribhadra , who was a key player in the state-run meatpackers and has been named the top food industry official, will leave the State government on February 28.
The State Food Marketing Authority (Sfma) on Monday said Veerubhadra will be appointed food minister in the next cabinet.
Veeribadra had been the chairperson of the State Food Promotion and Promotion Board (SPPB), which was set up in June.
She will be the third member of the Cabinet under the new administration, after chief minister Oommen Chandy and state agriculture secretary Akshay Khaitan.
Veersa has been at the forefront of efforts to address malnutrition in the country.
The state has been one of the countries hardest hit by the global pandemic.