Registration and License for Food Business Operators

As reported in the media that in pursuance of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 it is mandatory to obtain a license or registration by all the food business operators on payment of required fees considering their yearly turnover throughout the State within February 4, 2014. However, they have to obtain a NOC from the local municipal co–operators like street vendors, canteens, hotels and restaurants, milk sellers etc. Operating without the required registration or license will attract penalty. We have noticed in and around Guwahati city that a number of roadside eating houses are coming up and we are surprised to see the conditions in which food is prepared without considering the hygienic aspect, in the interest of the general health of the public. We fail to understand why the Food Inspectors of the Health department of the State are not taking action against such establishments. We feel that an enactment of an act will not serve the purpose, unless of course the same is implemented wholly in its real sense. We, therefore, request the officials of the Food Safety Organization, Assam to ensure implementation of the act flawlessly, keeping in mind the general health of the people of the State.