Food Safety Act not on Muktsar traders’ menu

Food Safety Act not on Muktsar traders’ menu 

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Fact file

Not more than 92 licences have so far been issued to the traders dealing in food items across the Muktsar district. All shopkeepers, rehriwalas, vendors, milkmen and owners of business establishments with an annual turnover below `12 lakh have to get registered under the Act before February 5, 2013, after paying a fee of Rs 100. Similarly, those dealing in food items and having an annual turnover above Rs 12 lakh have to get the licence. Officials dealing with the implementation of the Act said staff shortage was a major reason behind the slow implementation of the Act.

Muktsar, November 4
Lack of focus in the implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act is evident from the figures procured from the district health office here as not more than 92 licences have so far been issued to the traders dealing in food items across the district. Besides, only 653 registrations have taken place so far.
As per the information, all shopkeepers, rehriwalas, vendors, milkmen and owners of business establishments with an annual turnover below Rs 12 lakh have to get registered under the Act before February 5, 2013, after paying a fee of Rs 100.
Similarly, those dealing in food items and having an annual turnover above Rs 12 lakh have to get the licence.
Earlier, the date to get registered and procure the licence was fixed for August 4, 2012, but it was extended for six months up to February 2013. Still, the process of registration and issuing licences is going on at a snail's pace.
District Health Officer Dr Ajay Jhanjhi said, "We have carried out a number of awareness programmes to make the traders aware about the need to register or procure licences under the Act. Earlier, the pace was slow but now the process is gaining momentum."
"We are hopeful of registering or issuing licences to all the traders under the Act by February 4, 2013. Those who fail to do so would be penalised as per the provisions of the Act," added Dr Jhanjhi.
On the other hand, officials dealing with the implementation of the Act said staff shortage was a major reason behind the slow implementation of the Act.
The Food Safety and Standards Act has replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act to make food adulteration a more serious offence and the punishment more stringent.

Courtesy: The Tribune