JOIN USAll those who are into food business, including roadside canteens and hotels will have to obtain a licence or registration under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, before February 4.
The authorities in Karnataka are making all preparations to create awareness among Food Business Operators (FBO), to register with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Speaking to Deccan Herald, District Surveillance Officer Dr Rajesh, who is the in charge district-level designated officer said “we have been creating awareness on the need for registration, by visiting the FBOs individually and distributing pamphlets furnishing details on the Act. The registration process is on. We have met Hotel Owners Association, Fishermen Association, to create awareness. In fact, when we visited fish market to appraise the Act among fishermen, many refused to consider fish as food item. Hence, we have appraised the Act among Fishermen Association, so that they in turn will create awareness among fishermen who sell fish in the market, to register under the Act.”
According to the Act, all Food Business Operators should be registered under FSSAI and obtain license. FBO includes hotels, permanent or temporary stallholders, hawkers, home based canteens, Dhabawalas, food manufacturers, processors, re-packers, food stalls arrangements in religious gatherings, slaughterhouses, storage houses, retail and wholesale traders, hostels, packaged drinking water units and so on.
Milk producers who are not a member in the Dairy Co-operative Societies should also register under the Authority. The Food Safety wing of the district has pointed out that several school and college hostels and canteens, as well as several office canteens are functioning in the district without registration as stipulated under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
He said that the district-level unit of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will get a full-fledged designated officer shortly. The district-level structure consists of Food Safety Officers (FSO) in each taluk, a designated officer at district-level and an adjudicating officer. Currently, there are three FSOs in Dakshina Kannada district. The FSO from Mudigere taluk is given charge of the Mangalore city. The FSO will be in Mangalore city on Thursday and Friday for registration.
All FBOs which have not obtained FSSA licence/ registration till now should apply immediately. Operating food businesses without a licence or registration will attract a penalty up to Rs five lakh and imprisonment up to six months, Dr Rajesh added.
Petty retailers, hawkers and small-scale food business with an annual turnover not above Rs 12 lakh should get registered by paying the annual fee of Rs 100. Large-scale units involved in dairy, vegetable oil processing, meat processing, food processing and export oriented whose turnover is above Rs 12 lakh should operate by getting licence. The registration will be renewed every year.
One of the objectives of enforcement is to ensure that registration/licensing provisions are fulfilled and food items are hygienic, wholesome and free of contaminants, he added.