The administration had announced with much fanfare that each and every food vendor in the city, big or small, would be required to get a licence as part of their efforts to ensure food safety. Two months down the line, however, only a dozen vendors have been registered under the Food Safety Standards Act 2006.
In the second week of March, a special seminar was organised on the Food Safety Standards Act 2006 and it was decided that the Act will be implemented in the entire district making it mandatory for all food businesses to register themselves.
While only 131 registrations have been done, including small hotels and ice-cream parlous, only about 35 licences have been issued. And such is the state of affairs ahead of the fast-approaching August 4 deadline set by the district health authorities to register all food vendors and issue a licence.
The health authorities, however, are still hopeful that things would fall, in place. Surinder Singh Punia, the district food inspector, said, "Whenever we start a new project, it takes time to spread awareness. We had initiated the project well and people have started started responding. Things would be better in the days to come."
On the other hand, the commissioner of the food and drug administration department, CR Rana, accepted the fact that Gurgaon was lagging behind.
{{/usCountry}}On the other hand, the commissioner of the food and drug administration department, CR Rana, accepted the fact that Gurgaon was lagging behind.
{{/usCountry}}"We know that Gurgaon has not kept pace. But I have asked the concerned officials to pull up their socks. I would review the work by next month."
As per the Food Safety Standards Act 2006, every businessman with a turnover of R12 lakh and above in the food industry needs to get a license for selling edible
products. Those in a business with a turnover of less than R12 lakh need to get registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).