Chennai:
Despite protests from consumer activists, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has extended the deadline for food outlets to enroll with the food safety department till August 4, 2015.The earlier extended deadline expired on Wednesday .
The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 has set new licensing and registration norms for food businesses -hotels, restaurants, canteens, hostels, roadside eateries, dairy shops, tea shops, meat shops, juice shops and vegetable and fruits vendors.
The latest extension is the fifth since the implementation of the act on August 5, 2011. Bimal K Dubey , director (enforcement) said they have received several representations from food operators to extend the deadline for obtaining the license and registration by another year. “But we have decided to extend the deadline by six months, up to August 4, to ensure more food businesses to renew or convert existing licences or registrations.“
As per the act, a licence is compulsory for any food business with an annual turnover of more than `12 lakh. Those with a lower turnover must register with the state food safety de partment.
While traders welcomed the extension of the deadline, consumer activists said the extension could not be justified. T Sadagopan, a consumer activist said FSSAI is diluting the importance of the act. “The lethargic attitude of government has resulted in poor enforcement.The enrollment of food operators will remain low if there is no enforcement by authorities.“
Tamil Nadu Hotels Association Secretary R Srinivasan said only 20% of the food operators in the state have been enrolled under the Act. “We have been asking the government to amend the existing act in consultation with food operators.Many provisions in the act are not suitable for Indian conditions.“
Statistics show less than 10,000 of the 50,000 restaurants in the city have enrolled with food safety department. A food safety official admitted that numerous extensions have dampened the spirit of the act.
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