Registration of food operators to be expedited

As a large chunk of food-business operators in the city are yet to register with the food safety department, the Chennai Corporation is likely to join hands with Food Safety and Drug Administration Department to speed up the process of registration.
The Corporation issues trade licences for food-business operators while their registration is carried out by the food safety department. All food-business operators, including star hotels with annual turnover of Rs.12 lakh, have been asked to get a licence from the food safety department by August 4, 2012. However, only 2,350 of the estimated 12,500 food-business operators have obtained licences so far. Similarly, only 1,200 of around 7,500 small food-business operators have registration certificates.
Proper coordination between the Corporation and the food safety department is likely to prevent adulteration of food in the city. Corporation officials and the department’s officials will soon hold talks to improve coordination. The Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 came into force on August 5, 2011. Licenses issued to traders under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act of 1954 expired in March this year, but many of the businesses are still not aware that they need to acquire fresh licenses under the new act.
Even though the food safety department was hoping to issue all the licences in the city by the end of April, the task is yet to be completed on account of poor response from most traders.
Food safety officers, whose responsibility it is to inspect outlets and look into complaints, are now focussing more on information, education and communication. After the Corporation extends support within the provisions of the Act, food safety officers will be able to ensure better hygiene standards of food in the city.
The fine or punishment for an offender will be decided based on the extent of risk involved.