“Food security law will be enforced strictly’’

A top food safety official inspects a sweet stall on Bharathi Street in Puducherry. 

“A tie-up is made with all municipalities and commune panchayats so that their licences will not be issued unless Food License Registration is done”

: Firm in implementation of provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act, the Union Territory Government has reiterated that the Act will be enforced in larger public interest.

Food Safety Commissioner V.Candavelou said “All alcoholic beverages such as brandy, whisky, rum, wine, beer are covered under the category of food as per Section 3(j) of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. So food business operators involved in liquor business need to obtain food license in addition to license under Exercise Act.”

In an official press release, the Department of Food Safety said its online Licensing and Registration system was last January and FBOs whoever had obtained license/ registration for one year is due for renewal this month. The renewal process was activated 60 days before the expiry of license/ registration. Hence, they are requested to renew their licenses/ registrations one month before the expiry of license failing which a penalty of Rs.100 and Rs.30 per day will be imposed from 31 day to 60 day for licence and registration.

As the entire process was computerised, FBOs defaulting renewal between 31 and 60 day cannot renew their license/registration unless penalty is paid. Hence, the FBOs are advised to renew their licence/ registration one month before expiry to avoid the fines.

The Food Safety Commissioner said that mutton/ chicken stalls, marriage halls, temples offering annadanams, vehicles transporting food items, hotels, restaurants, mobile vendors need to apply for license/ registration.

The department is also taking efforts to issue identity cards to eligible registration certificate holders.

Warning the traders to desist from selling banned products, Dr. Candavelou also said, “The manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of gutka, panmasala and other food products, containing tobacco or nicotine as ingredients are banned in whole of the Union Territory of Puducherry. Hence FBOs are advised to desist from selling these banned products failing which a maximum penalty of Rs.five lakh will be imposed.”

The commissioner also said that all packaged food items should carry proper labelling system including date of manufacture, expiry, batch number, as regulations. All food packaging should carry the license number and FSSAI logo with effect from January 2, 2015 onwards. Violations of labelling regulation will attract penalty of Rs two lakh. Dr. Candavelou said, “A tie-up is being made with all municipalities and commune panchayats so that their licenses will not be issued unless Food License Registration is done in the first place.”