Food business operators advised to file returns

Port Blair

All Food Business Operators who have obtained License under Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and who are involved in Manufacture and Sale of Food products like Bakery Establishments, Hotels, Restaurants, Catering/ Midday Meal supplier, Meat & Poultry product Establishments have to submit the Annual Returns in Form D-1 and also those Food Business Operators who are involved in Manufacture & Sale of Milk & Milk products have to submit Half Yearly Returns for Milk & Milk products for the period ending (a) 1st April to 30th September & (b) 1st Oct to 31st March. It is observed, that in spite, of repeated instructions from the respective District Food Safety Offices of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the Food Business Operators are not following the instructions.

Non Submission of Returns is violation of 2.1.13 of Chapter-2 of Licensing & Registration of Food Business of Food Safety & Standards Regulations, 2011. Delay in filing return by end of 31st April of each year attracts penalty of Rs 100/- per day.

All the Food Business Operators who have not submitted their return are cautioned to submit their annual return with admissible late fee to the respective District Food Safety Office at the earliest.

The Food Safety Officers posted under the District Food Safety Offices of Andaman & Nicobar Islands will be carrying out inspections and Non- Complying Food Business Operators will be booked under relevant sections of Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 and legal action will be initiated against them