MumbaiThe state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given food business operators a deadline of August 5 to get registered with it as per the Food Safety and Standards Authority Act of India (FSSAI).
With around 45 lakh food establishments across Maharashtra, the FDA has insisted that not only restaurants and hotels but even roadside food vendors must apply for a valid licence.
“It is usually the small shops and vendors that pose a problem in terms of licence. As per the FSSAI, anybody involved in the sale of consumables should have a valid licence and be registered with the FDA,” said Suresh Deshmukh, assistant commissioner (Food) of FDA, Maharashtra. Deshmukh said the FDA had issued around 1.6 lakh licenses in the state in the past nine months.
“Having a valid licence is important not only to comply with the norms but also to keep a tab on the hygiene levels practised by food vendors,” he said.
Of the 4,751 food samples collected from eateries, food manufactures and distributors all over the state, the FDA had filed criminal complaints in 677 cases last year.
FDA inspectors have also been interacting with the food business operators to ensure that the establishments have the appropriate licence or certificate.
As per the FSSAI Act, establishments with an annual turnover of Rs 12 crore should own a licence while those with less turnover should have a certificate.
“In the tussle of obtaining licences, the consumer suffers the most as he is deprived of purchasing quality products from a convenient store if it is not licensed,” said Prabodh Halde, member of the Association of Food Scientists and Technologists, which recently arranged an interaction between FDA officials and food vendors
With around 45 lakh food establishments across Maharashtra, the FDA has insisted that not only restaurants and hotels but even roadside food vendors must apply for a valid licence.
“It is usually the small shops and vendors that pose a problem in terms of licence. As per the FSSAI, anybody involved in the sale of consumables should have a valid licence and be registered with the FDA,” said Suresh Deshmukh, assistant commissioner (Food) of FDA, Maharashtra. Deshmukh said the FDA had issued around 1.6 lakh licenses in the state in the past nine months.
“Having a valid licence is important not only to comply with the norms but also to keep a tab on the hygiene levels practised by food vendors,” he said.
Of the 4,751 food samples collected from eateries, food manufactures and distributors all over the state, the FDA had filed criminal complaints in 677 cases last year.
FDA inspectors have also been interacting with the food business operators to ensure that the establishments have the appropriate licence or certificate.
As per the FSSAI Act, establishments with an annual turnover of Rs 12 crore should own a licence while those with less turnover should have a certificate.
“In the tussle of obtaining licences, the consumer suffers the most as he is deprived of purchasing quality products from a convenient store if it is not licensed,” said Prabodh Halde, member of the Association of Food Scientists and Technologists, which recently arranged an interaction between FDA officials and food vendors
good blog post!!!!
ReplyDeleteFDA certificate of registration