All Canteens At Govt Institutions To Get Mandatory Licenses

According to a report by FnB News, all the Food Business Operators (FBOs) that are running canteens and mess at government institutions are to get licenses made immediately. The report further says that those failing to do so can be penalised in accordance to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Canteens To Get Licenses ASAP

While there is no deadline given by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to these canteens, however a letter was issued recently after an audit on the food quality and safety in the government institutions. After an audit of 11 such canteens it was found that seven failed the audit and four were to improve.

According to the report by FnB News the institutions whose canteens were audited included Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER). It was observed that the canteens weren’t even observing the general practice of hygiene and sanitation according to the Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration) Regulations, 2011.

Another revelation of the audit was that many of these canteens and cafeterias did not have the proper licenses and registrations. “All such catering units operating in the premises of government institutions fall under the definition of FBOs, and therefore, need to obtain licenses or register, as is applicable,” said Garima Singh, director, regulatory compliance, FSSAI in the letter issued.