Report

In Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu, S. Mariappan, the Designated Officer of the Food Safety Department recently has come up with a few amendments to the Food Safety and Standards Act that impact food business operators and street vendors in the region. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) introduced these amendments in September and October to streamline obtaining food safety licenses and registration certificates.

Elimination of ₹100 Registration Fee for Street Vendors

One significant change is removing the ₹100 registration fee for food vendors who sell their products while walking or using pushcarts. While these vendors are still required to obtain registration certificates, they will no longer be charged a fee for this service. Mr. Mariappan also emphasized the newly implemented instant licensing and registration system introduced by FSSAI. This system is available to wholesale dealers, distributors, retailers, transporters, importers, and warehouse operators involved in selling food products, simplifying the certification process for these businesses.

BIS Certification No Longer Required for Bottled Water

Additionally, FSSAI announced that food business operators no longer need certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for purified and bottled drinking water. The officer encouraged all operators to obtain food safety permits or registration certificates and recommended using FSSAI-approved online service centres for a smooth application process.

Source: The Hindu