Half of Food Biz Ignores Licence Deadline

Food safety registration and licences have not been availed by many outlets and vendors

Nearly half of all food vendors in Karnataka missed the February 4 deadline to get mandatory registrations and licences.

Only about 55 per cent of the three lakh operators in the state have taken the government’s deadline seriously. According to new rules of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), tea stalls, dhabas, grocery shops, milk vendors, canteens, caterers, restaurants, hotels and food processors, will be penalised if they fail to get the registrations and licences by February 4, 2014.

“Businesses with a turnover of less than `12 lakh must be registered while those with more than `12 lakh, must get a licence. The fee varies between `2000 and `7500,” said Ram Reddy, Food Consultant, Food Safety Department.

By his estimate, 90 per cent of food business operators in Karnataka only have to go in for registration, which costs just `100.

The issue of the food safety licence began on a war footing last year in Karnataka and all districts were directed to meet the February 4 deadline without fail.

Joint Director of Food Safety Dr Jaykumar, who spearheads the programme in Bangalore, said, “It has not been possible to cover all the operators within the deadline but 70 senior and junior food safety officers were appointed to get the work done. We need more people... one officer for each taluk to meet our target.”

Out of the three lakh food business operators in the state, 50 per cent are located in eight corporations, including Bangalore.

Action against those who have ignored the deadline is unlikely. Jaykumar explained, “There will be a crisis if we take stringent action from February 5. It is difficult to iagine how we can book so many people on the streets, in bakeries, in hotels and restaurants. We are awaiting directions from the Centre.”

The enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards Act is only possible if mid-sized and small segments exhibit awareness and extend their cooperation.

A food safety officer elaborates, “For the last one year, we have been going to their doorsteps to register. In fact, we have told them we are not there to harass them but to ensure hygiene and safety. We have not faced much resistance either in Bangalore nor in the districts, but some hotel owners have challenged the provisions of the Act.”

Mobile vendors, who initially opposed the idea, were advised to go in for registration as their outlets were not stationary. When told that they have to pay `100 for a licence, many volunteered.

The centre is keen on enforcing the law and any violation could mean a penalty of up to `5 lakh and even imprisonment. The law hopes to check adulteration and contamination, which sometimes result in death.

In Bangalore some know about it, many don’t

Just a stone’s throw from Vidhana Soudha, Chikka Rangaiah has been selling tea and coffee for the past 15 years. He had to face eviction and but managed to continue after paying hafta to the policemen.

Although he does not have a trade licence from the BBMP, he has managed to get a registration under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

He told City Express: “I was aware of the law and managed to get a registration after paying `2,000. I even

renewed my registration which is valid till August this year.”

Next to him is Amar from Uttar Pradesh who sells sweet lime and orange juice but does not know about this order. “I hardly make a profit as the prices of fruits varies from season to season. Where do I have the money to spare?” he said.

There are more than one lakh food business operators in Bangalore. 

However, many small establishments in food streets like VV Puram, Koramangala, Shivaji Nagar, Avenue Road, B V K Iyengar Road, Malleswaram, and Jayanagar 4th block, proudly display the FSSAI certificate.

Ali Basheer, who is renowned for his kebabs in Shivajinagar, knows well that his sole bread earner cannot be taken easily. “I am very particular about all regulations and I ensure that I am abreast of any new law or deadline,” he says. 

Suryakala, a home based food vendor at Padmanabha Nagar feels it is not necessary to get any registration. “I maintain strict hygiene and cleanliness. So where is the need to get a licence,” she queries.

On the other hand, Manjunath, the owner of an SLV joint in Banashankari is ready to follow the mandatory order but he is awaiting the High Court decision on clubbing of both packaged and parcelled food. He says, “It is wrong on part of the authorities to club us with big companies We are too small. I already have a plethora of permissions and it is not difficult to get the food safety one.”