Officials from the Food Safety Department are conducting an enumeration drive with the help of college students here to identify food businesses without Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence in the district.
The Food Safety Department has formed 40 teams with 80 students to conduct the drive here. At present, the teams are visiting all food related businesses, including hawkers, street vendors, restaurants, hotels and other eateries.
The teams are also checking for necessary licences for vehicles transporting food products.
According to officials, the teams are currently visiting outlets within the Salem Corporation. In the drive that began on August 21, the teams have visited 783 businesses in Hasthampatti zone, 888 in Sooramangalam zone, 785 businesses in Ammapet zone and 776 in Kondalampatti zone.
According to earlier statistics, there are 6,500 licensed food businesses within the Corporation limits.
Dr. R.Kathiravan, Designated Officer, Food Safety, said that businesses without licences were identified and they were given awareness pamphlets.
He added that special licence issuing drives were also being conducted to issue licences to identified businesses.
The Department conducted the special drive here on August 26 and 29 and received 236 applications for FSSAI licence. Dr. Kathiravan said that operating food related businesses without licence was punishable under section 51 and section 63 of Food Safety Act and offenders could face up to to 6 months of imprisonment and fine of ₹5 lakh.
Officials said that the drives would continue and it would be extended to the blocks in the district once its over in the Corporation limits.
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