Food safety licence mandatory for eateries, food vans, says Sirmaur DC

Nahan, July 12

Sirmaur Deputy Commissioner Sumit Khimta has directed health and food safety officials to ensure regular inspection and sampling of food products to safeguard public health. “In light of the upcoming monsoon season, special attention must be given to the quality of food items, fruits and vegetables. All business operators are mandated to comply with the Food Safety Act,” the DC added.

During the district-level advisory committee meeting held in Nahan under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, Khimta emphasised that obtaining a food safety licence is mandatory for all businesses, including depot holders, mid-day meal providers, liquor contractors, caterers, fair and stall operators and Anganwadi centres.

Khimta urged continuous monitoring of fruit and vegetable vendors from other states who sell their produce on vehicles. The quality of products sold by these vendors should be checked regularly to ensure that the public receives quality produce.

He highlighted the increasing trend of selling food on food vans and trucks on national highways, major roads and in urban areas, adding that the quality of such products often remains questionable. Food vendors must obtain licences under the Food Safety Act and maintain cleanliness standards.

Addressing the long-standing issue of the slaughterhouse in Nahan, the DC instructed the Municipal Council to resolve this issue promptly. Meat shop owners must obtain licences under the Food Safety Act and officials should regularly inspect the quality and cleanliness standards of these shops.

Khimta also announced the upcoming launch of a mobile food testing service in the district, which will facilitate the collection of various food samples.

Assistant Commissioner for Food Safety Atul Kayastha said that the Food Safety Department collected around 120 enforcement samples and 294 surveillance samples in 2023-24. Out of 119 analysed samples, 16 were found misbranded and 7 substandard, leading to 45 civil cases and 2 criminal cases. A total of 27 convictions resulted in fines amounting to Rs 2.07 lakh.

Excise and Taxation Deputy Commissioner Himanshu R Panwar, District Programme Officer Sunil Sharma, District Health Officer D. Nasir Ahmed, Deputy Director of Primary Education Rajiv Thakur, Deputy Director of Higher Education Ajit Chauhan, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ramakant Thakur, Food Safety Officer Priyanka Kashyap and various business representatives were also present at the meeting.