To ensure quality and hygiene in eatables sold by small scale food business operators (FBO), Food Safety Department is conducting checks in roadside eateries, push carts and mobile eateries in the district.
Such FBOs are also asked to register themselves with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
B. Vijayalalithambigai, Designated Officer of FSSAI, Coimbatore, said that food safety officers were currently conducting the inspections at 2,000 odd small scale FBOs running roadside eateries, push carts and mobile eateries.
“We are primarily checking aspects such as hygiene and quality of the food served in such stalls. They need to be educated on cooking and storing foods in hygienic conditions, ill effects of using colouring agents and reheated oils. However, we have not lifted samples from such stalls as many of them are unaware of good practices to be followed,” said Ms. Vijayalalithambigai.
During visits to pani puri stalls, vendors have been asked to use gloves, and provide potable water at stalls.
As of now, around 50 small scale FBOs have obtained registration certificate from FSSAI in the district.
Many of them have applied for the registration which is under process.
While FBOs with annual turnover above ₹ 12 lakh is required to obtain a licence from FSSAI, those with annual turnover below ₹ 12 lakh are mandated to get a registration certificate.
“A meeting of small scale FBOs has been arranged on Saturday with the help of association members. They will be briefed on the registration and good practices to be followed,” said Ms. Vijayalalithambigai.
Meanwhile, FSSAI has advised all FBOs in Coimbatore to complete the registration and licence before February 28. As per estimation by FSSAI, there are 28,983 FBOs in Coimbatore which include those with annual turnover above and below ₹ 12 lakh a year.
