It’s mandatory for marriage halls and caterers to get food safety licence

Dishing a clean fare:J. Suguna, Designated Officer for Food Safety, Madurai district, addressing the owners of marriage halls and caterers at an awareness meeting in the city on Sunday.— Photo: R. Ashok 

 

“Cleanliness of kitchens in marriage halls is a top priority”

The scope of Food Safety and Standards Act has been extended to marriage halls and caterers also.

It is mandatory for every ‘kalyana mandapam’ and those who are engaged in food catering business to register and get proper licence from the food safety wing. At the same time, the cooks employed by catering units should obtain medical fitness certificate to ensure hygiene.

An awareness meeting about the need to get food safety licence was conducted here on Sunday for the owners of marriage halls in the city.

J. Suguna, Designated Officer for Food Safety, Madurai district, told The Hindu that marriage halls should have food safety licence as they have a kitchen to prepare food for marriages and other functions.

“This was the first meeting we had officially organised for this target group of ‘kalyana mandapams’ and catering people.

Cleanliness of kitchens in marriage halls is a top priority since it concerns general public who consume food there,” she said.

The marriage halls were asked to make enquiries whether the catering contractor booked by customers has the mandatory food safety licence.

“Normally, a family books marriage hall well in advance and so there is plenty of time available for the caterer to get the licence if it is not obtained already. We told the marriage hall owners to instruct their staff that they should verify the food safety licence of the caterer,” Dr. Suguna said.

The phone numbers of Food Safety Officers in Madurai district were given to the marriage halls association and the officer in each area could be contacted for clarifications, registration and to get food safety licence.

Dr. Suguna said that a ‘Food Safety Licence Mela’ will be conducted at Chellam Saraswathi Mahal on Kamarajar Salai in Madurai on January 20 for the benefit of those involved in food business.

Spot registration will be done on that day and all doubts will be clarified.

Those who want to know more about registration and licence can contact Dr.Suguna on mobile number 98423-03625.