Food Business Operators directed to obtain Food License

Kapurthala, Nov 26 (Punjab Post Bureau) – Under Mission Tandrust Punjab as per the directions of Eng. D.P.S Kharbanda, Deputy Commissioner Kapurthala & Dr. (Mrs.) Jasmeet Kaur Bawa Civil Surgeon Kapurthala today checking done by Harjot Pal Singh Assistant Commissioner Food & Satnam Singh Food Safety Officer Kapurthalato check food items especially Milk & Milk Products (MMP).

                The Wing carried out a special drive on Milk Dairies and inspected Milk Dairies in the area of Kapurthala City from the localities Near Old Hospital Amritsar Road, Old Sabzi Mandi Kapurthala near Shalimar Bagh Amritsar Road & near Sat Narayan Mandir Kapurthala.

                    However, during the course of checking no objectionable material was found in the premises of these dairies, however the Food Wing seized samples of Milk & Milk Products.

             Total 6 (Six) samples have been seized today mainly of Milk & Milk Products comprising Milk – 3 samples, Milk Cream –1.

             Apart from this the team seized samples of Pickles and Gur Rewari from the area of Sultanpur Lodhi. These samples seized today have been despatched to the State Food Laboratory Kharar.

             All the Food Business Operators dealing in Milk & Milk Products are directed to ensure the quality of Milk & Milk Products.

            All the Food Business Operators are also directed to obtain Food License at the earliest as the last date for obtaining the license/registration has already passed.

             It is pertinent to mention here that U/s 63 of FSSA (Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006), no one can commence or carry on food business without valid license, carrying out business without license may invite penalty upto Rs. 5 Lakhs and imprisonment upto 6 months. The license fees for retailer/ wholesaler/ distributor/ caterer/dhaba/ restaurant is Rs.2000/- per annum. For manufacturing/packing units, it is Rs.3000/- for capacity upto one metric ton per day and Rs.5000/- for capacity 1-2 ton per day. Whereas, for higher capacities of manufacturing units, licenses are to be issued by Central Licensing Authority of FSSAI (Food Safety Standards Authority of India) 

         Civil Surgeon said that this move by the department against the Food Business Operators engaged in the unscrupulous business of adulterated & spurious food stuffs will be continued in the future also to ensure that the citizens get pure & healthy food.