Online registration of food businesses begins in state

PANAJI: About 8,000 food establishments in Goa have already registered themselves online as per the new rules of registration and licensing of food operators applicable from August 2011, under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The Act that is being enforced throughout the country, is being implemented first in Goa as a pilot project, and is well underway, with 35 per cent of food establishments covered, according to the state Food and Drugs Administration, (FDA) department.  Stating this to the media, in a function organized for a formal launch of the online process, Mr Salim Veljee, director of FDA, said, “The earlier legislation, pertaining to food safety was laid down by the state government. It has now been repelled and replaced by a central licensing system. So operators are required to follow or switch over to the new laws.”  He added, “However, the new system is online, which makes it easier for operators to comply and it is also quicker. And for those establishments without access to internet, special facilities have been put in place.” This includes tie-up arrangements with the Mahiti Ghars, to assist especially the small operators without knowledge of computers or internet operations.” The online unveiling was by Mr B Vijayan, principal secretary and commissioner, food safety, who said that Goa was being taken up as a pilot project by the central government on account of it being a tourism dominated place. Further, the licensing of food establishments will “ensure quality which is the real purpose of the new rules.”  Mr Vijayan pointed out that the essence of the new rules was “standardization and self-regulation by vendors, vis-à-vis the old rules of enforcement.” However, he hastened to add that online licensing will not do away completely with regulation as inspections by the FDA officers would continue. Moreover, “although Goa’s track record in the latest project was good a lot needs to be done as awareness of online registration of the new rules could still improve.The formal launch organized at the secretariat was attended by Mr Gaurish Dhond,  president Goa Travel and Tourism Association, Mr Murthy, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India,  Mr Manguirish Raikar, president, GCCI, inspectors of FDA and  representatives of food businesses and Goa Can.The government of India has recently been publicising the new rules pertaining to food businesses in the country, applicable to restaurants, hotels etc. In the initial phase of implementation, three states, viz Gujarat-Goa-Maharashtra, have been short-listed.

Source:http://www.navhindtimes.in