Kolkata: Don't be surprised if your neighbourhood chaiwala is forced to close shop after July for not obtaining a licence under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
The regulation came into effect on August 5, 2011, but the authorities had not been able to enforce it in Kolkata yet. Not only large restaurants, bars and canteens, even roadside food stalls come under these regulations. The deadline for obtaining the licences is August 4, 2012.
"The regulations were formulated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under the ministry of health and family welfare to ensure that safe and hygienic food is supplied by the outlets. Every outlet needs to obtain a licence and maintain a certain level of hygiene. Kolkata is one of the cities where very few outlets have obtained licences. We have started raids elsewhere and will soon start in Kolkata. Outlets that do not have the licence will be shut down till they apply and ensure proper hygiene," a ministry official said from Delhi.
The problem is the Bengal government has not taken any steps to enforce the law or create awareness on the issue. Most food joints, especially the small ones, do not even know about the licence.
A ministry official said that they have information of some high-end restaurants, including a few on Park Street, not maintaining the requisite level of hygiene. "The food is to be cooked in a hygienic manner under proper cover to prevent harmful things from falling in. All stalls and outlets should have a proper sewerage facility that is not close to the drinking water source. The food has to be stored in a hygienic manner," he said.
The stall owner has to keep his hands clean and abstain from activities such as spitting, blowing his nose or scratching himself while preparing or serving the food. The utensils have to be washed properly in clean water. The regulations will also apply to college and office canteens and catering agencies that supply food during marriages and other ceremonies.
"We have been informed by the state government but preparations are still not at a level where we can issue licences to all stalls. Our software will have to be changed. We are looking into the matter," said Partha Pratim Hazari, MMiC, prevention of food adulteration.
Officials in Delhi say that they require assistance from the state governments and local civic bodies.
"In fact, the licence will be an additional benefit to the stall owners. By displaying the identity cards issued to them, they would be able to attract more customers. The customers would be assured of hygienic products, even if the stall is small," an official said.
The procedure of applying for licences is not too elaborate. The stall owner merely needs to apply to the registration authority that will then carry out an inspection and then issue a licence that needs to be renewed every year. The identity cards will be issued with the licences and have to be kept on display at all times.
The regulation came into effect on August 5, 2011, but the authorities had not been able to enforce it in Kolkata yet. Not only large restaurants, bars and canteens, even roadside food stalls come under these regulations. The deadline for obtaining the licences is August 4, 2012.
"The regulations were formulated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under the ministry of health and family welfare to ensure that safe and hygienic food is supplied by the outlets. Every outlet needs to obtain a licence and maintain a certain level of hygiene. Kolkata is one of the cities where very few outlets have obtained licences. We have started raids elsewhere and will soon start in Kolkata. Outlets that do not have the licence will be shut down till they apply and ensure proper hygiene," a ministry official said from Delhi.
The problem is the Bengal government has not taken any steps to enforce the law or create awareness on the issue. Most food joints, especially the small ones, do not even know about the licence.
A ministry official said that they have information of some high-end restaurants, including a few on Park Street, not maintaining the requisite level of hygiene. "The food is to be cooked in a hygienic manner under proper cover to prevent harmful things from falling in. All stalls and outlets should have a proper sewerage facility that is not close to the drinking water source. The food has to be stored in a hygienic manner," he said.
The stall owner has to keep his hands clean and abstain from activities such as spitting, blowing his nose or scratching himself while preparing or serving the food. The utensils have to be washed properly in clean water. The regulations will also apply to college and office canteens and catering agencies that supply food during marriages and other ceremonies.
"We have been informed by the state government but preparations are still not at a level where we can issue licences to all stalls. Our software will have to be changed. We are looking into the matter," said Partha Pratim Hazari, MMiC, prevention of food adulteration.
Officials in Delhi say that they require assistance from the state governments and local civic bodies.
"In fact, the licence will be an additional benefit to the stall owners. By displaying the identity cards issued to them, they would be able to attract more customers. The customers would be assured of hygienic products, even if the stall is small," an official said.
The procedure of applying for licences is not too elaborate. The stall owner merely needs to apply to the registration authority that will then carry out an inspection and then issue a licence that needs to be renewed every year. The identity cards will be issued with the licences and have to be kept on display at all times.
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