80% shops in city not registered with FSSAI

Officials of the Health Department during a checking in Sirki Bazaar in Bathinda on Monday.

Bathinda, January 20

Food Safety Officer Tarun Bansal on Monday conducted checking at 10 shops in various markets of the city and found none of them possessing Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence or registration. The owners of these shops were served notices and were asked to get a licence made within a week. Notably, as per the FSSAI norms, the FBOs with annual turnover below Rs12 lakh must get registered while those with annual turnover more than Rs12 lakh must possess a licence.

In a crackdown against food business operators (FBOs) operating without registration or possessing FSSAI licence, the District Health Department has launched a campaign in the district. The teams constituted, by the District Health Officer (DHO), for the purpose have started checking at markets.

The department has launched a campaign to spread awareness to exhort owners of large scale FBOs, kiosks and roadside vendors regarding the importance and significance of licence and registration. Out of the two, one team would conduct awareness and checking in the city and the other would cover all blocks in the district.

As per the Health Department records, only 20 per cent of food business operators in the district have got themselves registered or possess licence which is mandatory under the FSSAI Act 2006. Even as 12 years have elapsed since the Act was introduced only a minuscule part of FBOs are operating with required licence or registration. The Act was introduced with the motive to improve the quality of food, prevent adulteration and bring the food business in the ambit of organised sector.

Talking to Bathinda Tribune, District Health Officer Dr Ramesh Maheswari, said, “We will sensitise FBOs regarding the FSSAI norms and conduct random checking. Those who will be found operating without licence will be penalised. ”