JOIN USFBOs get 6 more months to register under FSSAI Act
The hotels, food manufacturers and others who are involved in food business will get another six months time to register under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Act.
According to an earlier decision by the FSSAI, all the Food Business Operators (FBO) were supposed to register before August 5. The decision to extend the date has come after a few states expressed their concern over the implementation of Act within the time frame given by the Authority.
In a letter to the Food Safety Commissioners of all states and union territories, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Director (Enforcement) S S Ghonkrota said that the last date to Food Business Operators for seeking conversion or renewal of licenses has been extended by another six months with effect from August 5, 2012. The decision to extend the date turns out to be a sigh of relief for the operators as most of them were unaware about the registration procedures, despite awareness programmes conducted by the officials and other organisations.
Officials concerned in the district are also happy with the decision as the authority lacks manpower at present. Officials had a hectic time as the deadline approaches, as most of the FBOs came for the registration in the eleventh hour.
Currently, due to lack of manpower, Food Safety Officers (FSO) from other districts are given charge of the taluks in Dakshina Kannada from January onwards. Currently FSO of Tarikere Taluk in Chikmagalur district is looking after the matters in Mangalore and Belthangady taluks. FSO of Kollegal taluk in Mysore is in charge of Bantwal, Sullia and Puttur taluks in the district.
According to the act, all Food Business Operators (FBO) should be registered under FSSAI and obtain license. FBO includes hotels, permanent or temporary stallholders, hawkers, home based canteens, Dhabawalas, manufacturers, processors, re-packers, food stalls arrangements in religious gatherings, slaughterhouses, storage houses, retail and wholesale traders etc. Milk producers who are not a member in the dairy co-operative societies should also register under the Authority.
License holders who already registered under any previous Acts and expiry date have not over by prescribed time can continue with the existing license. Once the license period expires, they will have to register under the FSSAI, says the circular issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.