Several establishments without licence

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 16

The recent raids at prominent private clubs in the city have revealed that a number of food establishments are operating without licence in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSAI).

“It is because the government has not issued warning to implement the provisions of the FSSAI Act. There is no deterrence and many people have not applied for it,” said an official.

Sources in the Health Department revealed that around 2,000 food businesses in the city have obtained licences.

The raids on three private clubs in the city on July 11 had revealed that two of these had not even applied for the licence. The clubs with prominent citizens as their members have been operating without complying with the FSSAI guidelines for many years.

The administration has been running a campaign to get such establishments registered, besides ensuring compliance with safety measures, medical certificates of workers and others.

District Health Officer Dr Lakhbir Singh Bhagowalia said, “We are trying to get all the establishments registered. If anyone is found without licence, he is asked to get the same in seven days. Strict action will be taken against those without licence.”

Last week, the Health Department had issued notices to private clubs for failing to comply with cleanliness instructions and operating without licence.