Food safety licence mandatory for Delhi restaurants

New Delhi, Sept 8: Food safety licence will be mandatory for all restaurants in the national capital and they have been given a month's time to procure the document, the Delhi government said on Tuesday.

The government said restaurants can register themselves and apply for the licence through a simple online process.

"It will now be mandatory for all restaurants and hotels in the national capital to register and get food safety licences within one month through a simple online process," said an official statement.

Health Minister Satyendra Jain said there would be zero tolerance for food adulteration and cases of violation would be strictly dealt with.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has directed all the departments concerned to adopt a strict approach to counter the menace.

Delhi's Food Safety Commissioner Mrinalini Darswal said the Directorate of Prevention of Food Adulteration would strictly enforce the Food safety and Standards Act, 2006, in the national capital.

She said that section 31 (1) of the law clearly states that no person shall commence or carry on any food business except under a licence.

The government said violation of the law will invite imprisonment for up to six months and a penalty of Rs.5 lakh.

IANS