Canteens must be licensed to serve, UGC tells colleges, varsities

New Delhi, October 23 

Noting that canteens and messes in educational institutions are not licensed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked the universities and colleges to ensure that rules in this regard are complied with.

In a letter to vice-chancellors of the universities, UGC Secretary Jaspal S Sandhu said it had been noted that the canteens, messes and other food establishments located in various educational institutions were not licensed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

“You are requested to kindly ensure the implementation of the FSS Act, 2006, at food establishments of your university and in all the affiliated colleges,” he wrote.

The Food Safety and Standards Act provides the framework for regulating manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of food items so as to ensure its safety. “The Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, stipulates that no person shall commence any food business unless he possesses a valid licence,” the senior UGC official said in his letter.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will also organise training of food handlers working in food establishments of the educational institutions to provide safe and wholesome food to the students, Sandhu said. — PTI