Srinagar: Following public outrage over the uncovering of rotten meat and chicken the food safety department has now put food vending outlets including tea sellers and e-commerce platforms under scanner.
The issue came to limelight after the citizens in the city complained that they consumed tea sold by vendors and e-commerce platforms and fell ill. The citizens claimed that many vendors are now providing and promoting their tea service on social media platforms but they don’t comply with the food safety norms and FSSAI license procedures.
Pointing out some social events where these unregistered tea catering services served tea, but later some attendees fell ill and raised the issue with food safety officials, who found out that these catering services have no food serving licences and are violating the FSSAI and food safety norms.
The officials in food safety came into action after citizens flagged complaints to them and were assured action and investigation. However, one citizen expressed concern that the food safety department didn’t inform the public of the actions taken against such violators.
An official in the food safety department said they have found that some persons in the city and other areas have launched these tea catering services without registering with the department by simply promoting their service on social media. “This is an unacceptable and unsafe way which is not permitted by food safety laws. These people will face action under the food safety act,” the official said.
Meanwhile, alarmed by the public outrage, the Food Safety Department has now directed all Food Business Operators (FBOs), including manufacturers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, cold storage operators, transporters, and e-commerce platforms, to strictly comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Packaging and Labeling Regulations, 2020 in relation to the sale of frozen raw meat, chicken, and related products.
