Panaji: Following news reports on the issue of food items being sold from private cars operating as mobile kiosks and several complaints, the food and drugs administration has directed operators of such kiosks to apply to the department for a licence under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, “To avoid punitive action”.
In directions issued by the FDA director, Jyoti Sardesai, consumers have been advised to check for FSSAI licence or registration certificate before making purchases at mobile kiosks.
“It is alleged that consumers are being put at risk as no appropriate food safety and hygiene norms are maintained during the sale,” the note read. The directive was further extended to home-based food business operators, fast food suppliers, tiffin suppliers, bakers, etc, operating from their homes without obtaining the registration certificate or licence under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and marketing their items through social media platforms.
“All such food business operators who are operating roadside eateries, food carts and vans, and home-based food business operators selling food articles without registration certificate or licence are required to operate their food businesses after obtaining the same and adhere to the sanitary and hygienic norms stipulated under the act,” the note read.In previous reports, TOI had written about people that have lost their livelihood due to the pandemic adopting alternative solutions by selling fresh fruits, vegetables or fish in the back compartment of their private vehicle.
These vehicles are often found parked along roadsides in villages and towns across the state.
The transport department recently ordered a crackdown on such mobile kiosks based on a complaint made by the Goa Consumer Action Network who deemed its operation illegal.
This invited the ire of the locals who claimed to have with them the panchayat NOC to operate.
Individual panchayats merely take down their details, identity proof, the place of vehicle parking for the trade and permit them to sell the food articles.
“Consumers should also be vigilant and check for the FSSAI licence or registration number of these food business operators and in turn report such violations if noticed,” the note read