After a year delay, the Delhi Government has decided to implement the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations 2011 from the first week of August. This means food safety licence would be mandatory for tea stalls, dhabas, fruit and vegetable sellers, grocery shops, milk vendors, canteens, caterers, restaurants, hotels, food processors in the national Capital. Even trucks and other vehicles engaged in transporting food will have to obtain licences to this effect.
On the delay in the implementation of the Regulation, Health Minister Ashok Kumar Walia told The Pioneer that the implementation had been extended six month by the Central Government. “As far as Delhi is concerned, a Hyderabad-based company will open six counters in the Capital so that hawkers and vendors could be registered,” Walia said, adding the Food Safety and Standards Act would ensure improved quality of food for the consumers and censure misleading claims and advertisement by those in food business.
The implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act will ensure improved quality of food for the consumers and censure misleading claims and advertisement by those in food business.
The new Act will have more stringent provisions, including penalty clauses like life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. Though the Act was passed by Parliament in 2006, the Centre notified the rules for enforcement of the legislation only a few months back. The Delhi Government is preparing to issue a notification to enforce the law. According to the Act, for getting these licences, the stall owner needs to apply to the registration authority that will carry out an inspection and then issue a licence that needs to be renewed every year. Identity cards will be issued with the new licences.
According to Government officials entrusted with the task to enforce of the new Act, food adulteration will become almost impossible as it will attract heavy fine and punishment. Under the new Act, all food business operators with a turnover specified under the Act will have to acquire a licence and get themselves registered. Small-time shopkeepers will have to apply for registration while big business establishments will have to acquire licences.
In case of substandard, misbranded food or misleading advertisements about food products that are not injurious to health will invite a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. In case of injurious food, the punishment will be imprisonment up to seven years, with a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. In case of death caused due to adulterated food items, the punishment will range from seven years’ imprisonment to life, besides a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.
The officials of health department of Delhi Government say the new regulations will benefit small businesses for they can attract more customers by displaying identity cards. “The customers would be assured of hygienic products, even if the stall is small,” the officials added.
On the delay in the implementation of the Regulation, Health Minister Ashok Kumar Walia told The Pioneer that the implementation had been extended six month by the Central Government. “As far as Delhi is concerned, a Hyderabad-based company will open six counters in the Capital so that hawkers and vendors could be registered,” Walia said, adding the Food Safety and Standards Act would ensure improved quality of food for the consumers and censure misleading claims and advertisement by those in food business.
The implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act will ensure improved quality of food for the consumers and censure misleading claims and advertisement by those in food business.
The new Act will have more stringent provisions, including penalty clauses like life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. Though the Act was passed by Parliament in 2006, the Centre notified the rules for enforcement of the legislation only a few months back. The Delhi Government is preparing to issue a notification to enforce the law. According to the Act, for getting these licences, the stall owner needs to apply to the registration authority that will carry out an inspection and then issue a licence that needs to be renewed every year. Identity cards will be issued with the new licences.
According to Government officials entrusted with the task to enforce of the new Act, food adulteration will become almost impossible as it will attract heavy fine and punishment. Under the new Act, all food business operators with a turnover specified under the Act will have to acquire a licence and get themselves registered. Small-time shopkeepers will have to apply for registration while big business establishments will have to acquire licences.
In case of substandard, misbranded food or misleading advertisements about food products that are not injurious to health will invite a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. In case of injurious food, the punishment will be imprisonment up to seven years, with a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. In case of death caused due to adulterated food items, the punishment will range from seven years’ imprisonment to life, besides a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.
The officials of health department of Delhi Government say the new regulations will benefit small businesses for they can attract more customers by displaying identity cards. “The customers would be assured of hygienic products, even if the stall is small,” the officials added.
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