After UP, Himachal mandates display of food outlet owners' names
What's the story
Following in the footsteps of Uttar Pradesh, the Himachal Pradesh government has now mandated that all food establishments prominently display the names and addresses of their operators, proprietors, and managers.
The directive was announced on Wednesday by Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh.
"In Himachal too, every restaurant and fast food stall will have owner's ID so that people do not face any kind of problem," he stated in a social media post.
Policy inspiration
UP's food safety measures inspire Himachal's directive
In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday mandated that operators, proprietors, and managers' names and addresses must be visible at all food outlets.
Additionally, food service staff are required to wear masks and gloves, and the installation of CCTV cameras in hotels and restaurants will be obligatory.
The call for these new regulations stems from serious incidents of food contamination in the state.
Safety concerns
Food contamination incidents prompt new regulations
A viral video from September 12 showed a teenager preparing food in an unhygienic manner at an eatery in Saharanpur, leading to the arrest of the establishment's owner.
In another alarming case, a juice vendor in Ghaziabad was arrested for allegedly mixing urine with fruit juice, and two individuals in Noida were detained for selling contaminated juice.
To enforce these regulations, Adityanath instructed authorities to conduct thorough investigations of food establishments, including hotels and roadside eateries.
Regulatory enforcement
Enforcement and amendments for improved food safety
He also advocated for amendments to the Food Safety and Standards Act to bolster public health protections.
"Dhabas, restaurants, and food establishments must undergo thorough inspections, and police verification of all employees should be mandatory," he stressed.
"It is crucial to ensure the purity and sanctity of the food being served to the public."
Implementation plan
Rule to be implemented from January
The rule in Himachal will be implemented from January, starting with Shimla. The interval will be used for "preparations," including issuance of identity cards, NDTV reported.
"We have decided to strictly enforce the rules in the state, much like Uttar Pradesh," Singh told reporters.
"The Urban Development Ministry and the Municipal Corporation, in a meeting, collectively took this decision while taking into account people's fears and apprehensions about the availability of food at food stalls," he added.