Mumbai, Jun 24 (PTI) The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday directed its officials to ensure continuous implementation of food safety regulations throughout the year and not to rely only on periodic special drives.
The regulatory authority also decided to hold meetings with hotel and food business operators to sensitise them about compliance with food safety norms and the consequences of violations.
This decision was taken at a review meeting chaired by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, where officials discussed measures to strengthen the enforcement of food safety standards across the state.
According to the FDA, inspections, special campaigns, surveys and enforcement actions conducted across Maharashtra have revealed several serious shortcomings, including preparation of food in unhygienic conditions, reusing cooking oil, handling of food by staff without medical fitness certification, lapses in temperature control, and use of substandard packaging material, among others.
Mundhe directed all assistant commissioners, designated officers and food safety officers to focus on sustained enforcement of existing regulations rather than undertaking occasional drives, and to ensure strict compliance by food business operators, according to an official release.
The FDA will also organise meetings with hotels, restaurants, cloud kitchens and other food service establishments to raise awareness about food safety requirements and ensure adherence to the rules.
The commissioner has issued a comprehensive food safety compliance order applicable to hotels, restaurants, eateries, dhabas, canteens, cafeterias, quick-service restaurants, banquet halls, catering units, sweet shops, bakeries, food courts, juice bars, kitchens, chain restaurants, as well as e-commerce and online food aggregators.
The order mandates that all food service establishments possess a valid licence or registration under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and display it prominently.
It also requires strict adherence to hygiene standards, regular medical examinations, training of food handlers, safe food-handling practices, and procurement of raw materials only from licensed suppliers, the release said.
Food establishments have been directed to provide safe drinking water free for customers and display notices informing them of its availability. The order also bars serving or wrapping food in newspapers or printed paper and places restrictions on the reuse of used cooking oil under the FSSAI’s RUCO initiative.
Large food businesses and chain restaurants will be required to provide calorie, nutrition and allergen information on menus, while food businesses with an annual turnover exceeding Rs 50 crore must undergo annual food safety management system audits through FSSAI-recognised agencies.
Mundhe said safe food was a fundamental right of every citizen and compliance with food safety standards was not merely a legal obligation but also a social responsibility.
The FDA said violations of food safety regulations could invite penalties, prosecution and suspension or cancellation of licences under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. PTI ND NSK
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