The Food and Drug Administration Department of Food Safety Directorate has fixed March 7 as the deadline for owners of roadside, small eateries and food vendors using pushcarts to fall in line with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 to ensure hygiene and food safety.
Designated Officer for Food Safety R. Kadiravan, Food Safety Officers K. Chandran and R. Govindarajan on Thursday sensitised owners of small, roadside eateries and food stalls on pushcarts to the provisions in the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 compared to the repealed Prevention of Food Adulteration Act.
The owners will have to apply for licence and registration before March 7 failing which they will be evicted from their places of business. If the vendor has applied for licence and there is a delay in its issuance then he/she is at liberty to carry on with the business and the Act insulates him/her from action. The Department will provide identity cards with photo and certificates to them.
The Expert’s Thought: The deadline is more important than its effective implementation and compliance by the food industry.
