Guwahati: As per orders of the Food Safety and Standard Authority India, all food business operators across the country will have to obtain a license or registration by February 4 next year.
Under the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, all food manufacturers, sellers including street hawkers and canteens, hotels and restaurants, milk sellers, and even pharmacies selling food supplements and wine shops, among others, will have to get them registered or secure a license within the deadline, failing which they will be liable to penalty and imprisonment.
Senior officials from Food Safety Organisation, Assam, led by Joint Secretary Satyen Choudhary said that special licensing melas would be held at five places across Assam-Guwahati, Barpeta, Tezpur, Jorhat and Silchar, in the second half of this month where application forms would be issued and registrations and licenses granted on spot.
Sources said that in Guwahati, the event would be held at office of the Designated Officer Food Safety, Kamrup Metro, at Uzan Bazar on December 21 and 22.
Choudhary said that the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 was introduced in India to bring out the best practices at par with latest hygiene, manufacturing and agricultural production practices across the world. From street vendors to big stores, all have to get a license or secure a registration by February 4.
He added that the license or registration would be valid for once fixed location and would have a unique 14-digit number.
The central rule is also aimed at giving an organized shape to the food business sector in the country and prevents incidents of adulteration or any other shortcoming in the products.
It is reported that manufacturers and sellers with an annual turnover of up to Rs 12 lakh will have to undertake registration at a fee of Rs 100 for a year, while for those with an annual turnover up to Rs 12 lakh and over, the requirement would be for a license with the annual tax differing from segment to segment.
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