Registration is mandatory for food outlets from Aug 4

The food services industry will come under close scrutiny in the coming days with the State government set to enforce the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) from August 4 this year.

Under the new regime, the food service industries and outlets will have to compulsorily register themselves with the Health department and obtain licence to continue with their business. Food business operators with an annual turnover of less than Rs 12 lakh will have to register themselves with the food safety wing of the Health department on payment of a fee of Rs 100.

The licence fee for operators with an annual turnover of more than Rs 12 lakh varies between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000. The fee can be paid at any branch of the Syndicate Bank across the State.

“We are also planning to set up a separate division for Food Safety under the Health Department by deputing more inspectors and officers.

At present ,we have 118 officials across the State, with a sanctioned strength of 400 personnel, to bring the Act into force,” said Commissioner for Food Safety, Jayaram.
He said that food service providers who do not obtain a licence under FSSA will be shut down after August 4. A drive will be launched in July to ensure that the law is followed in letter and spirit.

Hotels approach court

The commissioner said that barring hotels, which have moved the High Court, other establishments dealing with food and food products will be inspected to ensure strict compliance. Foodmarts, shopping malls, street vendors and packaged drinking water plants also come under the purview of the Act.

It has been estimated that there are around four lakh establishments in Karnataka which deal with food and food products. However, no such statistics are available on street vendors. Jayaram said that he would ask the commissioners of city municipalities/corporations across the State on getting details of street vendors to that licences could be issued to them also.

The Act will also apply to mutton and chicken stalls. Accordingly, they are prohibited from displaying the caracass of the butchered animals in front of their shops. They will have to instal a cabinet for displaying meat products, by July 1. Bangalore has around 1,800 mutton and chicken stalls.