Dehradun: Following the incidents of spitting and mixing dirt in food items in Uttarakhand, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA), on the instructions of CM Dhami, has issued detailed guidelines on Wednesday. Under these guidelines, culprits will face fines ranging from 25,000 to 1 lakh rupees. Food traders must ensure their employees wear photo identity cards, and CCTV cameras must be installed.
According to Health Secretary and Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration Department Dr. R Rajesh Kumar, meat traders, dhabas, and hotel and restaurant operators are required to display whether the meat is halal or jhatka. Employees preparing and serving food must wear face masks, gloves, and headgear, Dr. Rajesh Kumar added.
CM Dhami has given strict instructions that such cases should be thoroughly investigated
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat have taken a tough stand on the incidents of spitting and mixing dirt in food items in Uttarakhand. CM Dhami has given strict instructions that such cases should be thoroughly investigated and the culprits should be punished.
Fine from 25 thousand to 1 lakh rupees
Following the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, Health Secretary and Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration Dr. R Rajesh Kumar has issued a detailed SOP. Fines ranging from 25,000 to 1 lakh rupees and strict action will be taken against the culprits. Dr. Kumar noted recent cases of adulteration in food items as a clear violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. He emphasized that all food traders must obtain licenses and comply with hygiene and cleanliness requirements.
Commissioner Dr. R Rajesh Kumar has issued a detailed SOP after incidents of food contamination. The SOP includes:
-Food business personnel must use face masks, gloves, and headgear while preparing and serving food.
-Hand habits like smoking, spitting, and scratching before handling food items must be controlled to prevent bacterial infections.
-Employing persons with infectious diseases at food sites is prohibited. Food establishments must keep a list of employees along with their medical certificates.
-Food business operators must issue photo identity cards to employees, which should be displayed at the workplace.
-Employees are prohibited from spitting or spreading dirt at the workplace, with violations punishable by fines ranging from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
-Food produced should not be contaminated with faeces, urine, saliva, or any other contaminated substance.
Additional guidelines
-Action will be taken against operators without a license or registration, and they must be covered immediately (Section 58 and 63 of FSS Act, 2006).
-CCTV cameras must be installed in all food establishments like Dhabas, Hotels, and Restaurants.
-Meat sellers and restaurants must disclose whether the meat is Halal or Jhatka.
-Strict compliance will be ensured, and legal action will be taken for non-compliance under the relevant provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and related regulations.
