Amritsar, September 18
The District Health Department is all set to initiate action against owners of shops selling food items in the city, who have not registered or obtained licences under the Food Safety and Standards Act so far.
In a meeting with officials of the Health Department from all the districts, the Health Minister had given instructions to take action against all such shops, which did not possess a licence.
District health officer, Dr Shivkaran Singh Kahlon said, “The last date for obtaining licences or
registration passed in August. The Health Minister has given instructions for taking action against defaulters.”
He said food inspectors while inspecting food businesses would ask for registration certificate or licence as applicable from owners. On failing to show registration or licence a show cause notice would be issued by the Health Department, he added.
“Businessmen who are selling eatables and have not obtained licenses or registration certificates shall be deemed to carrying on an illegal trade and will invite action,” said Kahlon.
According to the Food Safety and Standards Act, a food business with a annual turnover of less than Rs 12 lakh is required to get registration from the Health Department. A food business with an annual turnover exceeding Rs 12 lakh is required to obtain a licence.
The registration and licence is mandatory for all food businesses, which involves processing, manufacturing, packaging, catering or transportation at any stage. According to the figures available with the department, around 15,000 food businesses have either registered or obtained licences.
Dr Kahlon said there were reasons to believe that a large number of businesses had not yet registered or obtained licences. He said the Food Safety and Standards Act covered all consumable sellers, including chemists and liquor shops. Even the government institutions and warehouses had obtained licences, added Dr Kahlon.
The District Health Department is all set to initiate action against owners of shops selling food items in the city, who have not registered or obtained licences under the Food Safety and Standards Act so far.
In a meeting with officials of the Health Department from all the districts, the Health Minister had given instructions to take action against all such shops, which did not possess a licence.
District health officer, Dr Shivkaran Singh Kahlon said, “The last date for obtaining licences or
registration passed in August. The Health Minister has given instructions for taking action against defaulters.”
He said food inspectors while inspecting food businesses would ask for registration certificate or licence as applicable from owners. On failing to show registration or licence a show cause notice would be issued by the Health Department, he added.
“Businessmen who are selling eatables and have not obtained licenses or registration certificates shall be deemed to carrying on an illegal trade and will invite action,” said Kahlon.
According to the Food Safety and Standards Act, a food business with a annual turnover of less than Rs 12 lakh is required to get registration from the Health Department. A food business with an annual turnover exceeding Rs 12 lakh is required to obtain a licence.
The registration and licence is mandatory for all food businesses, which involves processing, manufacturing, packaging, catering or transportation at any stage. According to the figures available with the department, around 15,000 food businesses have either registered or obtained licences.
Dr Kahlon said there were reasons to believe that a large number of businesses had not yet registered or obtained licences. He said the Food Safety and Standards Act covered all consumable sellers, including chemists and liquor shops. Even the government institutions and warehouses had obtained licences, added Dr Kahlon.
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