Your neighbourhood tea stall may be forced to close down after July for not getting a license 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 were unable to enforce it in Kolkata yet. Not only large restaurants, bars and canteens, even roadside food stalls come under these regulations. The deadline set for obtaining the licenses is August 4, 2012.
A ministry official said that the regulations had been 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 was served by the outlets. Every outlet needs to obtain a license and maintain a certain level of hygiene. Only a few outlets in Kolkata have obtained licenses. We have started raids elsewhere and will soon start in Kolkata. Outlets that do not have the license will be shut down till they apply and ensure proper hygiene. He also 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 has 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.
The Bengal government has not taken any step to enforce the law or create awareness on the issue. Most food joints, especially the small ones, do not have any idea about the license.
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.
Partha Pratim Hazari, MMiC, Prevention of Food Adulteration said that they have been informed by the state government but the preparations have still not reached a level where we can issue license to all stalls.
According to an official the license holders will be able to attract more customers as they will be displaying their identity cards. The customers would be assured of hygienic products, even if the stall is small.
The procedure of applying for Licenses is not a long one. The stall owner needs to apply to the registration authority that will then carry out an inspection and then issue a License that needs to be renewed every year. The identity cards will be issued with the Licenses and have to be kept on display at all times.
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