KOHIMA: All food business operators (FBOs) in Nagaland, irrespective of whether they are based in urban or rural areas, have been directed to obtain licenses and register their businesses under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, before February 4, 2014.
Neiphi Kire, principal director and additional food safety commissioner, directorate of health and family welfare, Nagaland, said, "Operating a food business without a license or registration will attract penalty up to Rs 5 lakh and imprisonment up to six months under Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006."
According to the Act, all FBOs should be registered with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and obtain licenses. FBOs includes hotels, permanent and temporary stall owners, hawkers, home-based canteens, dhabawalas, food manufacturers, processors, re-packers, food stall arrangements in religious gatherings, slaughterhouses, storage houses, retail and wholesale traders, hostels, packaged drinking water units and so on.
Kire further said that all food businesses dealing in sales, storage and distribution of local food products and homemade food have been directed to properly seal the products in food grade plastic containers or polyethylene. The product seal should carry the following information on the label: name of food; date of manufacturing or packing; ingredients; net weight, volume; lot number, batch number, code number; best before date; use by date and expiry date.
"Non-compliance to this directive would be an offence punishable under the said Act and rules," Kire said in the press release. The measure will help the FSSAI protect and promote public health through regulation and supervision of food safety.
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