8 hrs ago
FDA Seeks Seven-Day Notice for Ganpati Prasad and Food-Safety Measures
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has issued rules for Ganpati food programmes.
Housing societies must tell the FDA about these events at least seven days ahead of time.
This applies even when food is served only to people living in the society.
The notice must say when the event will happen and how many people are expected.
It must also give the caterer’s name and licence number.
People cooking themselves are advised to get temporary registration online.
Food workers should wear caps, masks, gloves and aprons.
Food should be made with safe water and kept in proper containers.
Breaking the rules could lead to a case and a fine, although it is unclear whether every missed notice carries the stated penalty.
Housing societies in Vasai-Virar and Andheri must notify the FDA at least seven days before community food-distribution events.
The notice must include the event date, expected attendance, caterer’s name and FSSAI number.
The directive applies to meals for society residents, including programmes serving roughly 100–200 people.
Residents preparing food themselves are advised to obtain temporary FSSAI registration through the FoSCoS portal.
Food handlers must use protective clothing, while organisers must use safe water, food-grade containers and avoid stale food.
- Who
- The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration, housing societies, caterers and residents organising community food programmes.
- What
- The FDA requires advance notification and lists food-safety measures for Ganpati prasad, mahaprasad, bhandara and similar distributions.
- Where
- Housing societies in Vasai-Virar and Andheri; Palghar FDA and relevant BMC ward officers handle local submissions.
- When
- Organisers must notify the FDA at least seven days before the event; the festival SOPs were issued on September 3.
- Why
- To promote food safety during community food-distribution programmes.
Key facts
- Advance notice
- Organisers must submit a letter to the designated FDA or food safety officer at least seven days before the programme.
- Required details
- The letter should include the event date, anticipated attendance, caterer’s name and FSSAI number.
- Self-prepared food
- Residents preparing food themselves are advised to obtain temporary FSSAI registration through the FoSCoS portal.
- Food precautions
- Food handlers should wear caps, masks, gloves and aprons; organisers should use RO water and steel or food-grade containers.
- Documentation
- Organisers are advised to retain ingredient bills and display a Food Safety Connect QR code.
- Possible penalty
- A case and a fine ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh may apply for violations.
- Penalty uncertainty
- It has not been confirmed whether the stated statutory provision and penalty apply to every failure to notify.
Quotes
FDA official
An unnamed official of the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration
“Yes, this is true. Housing societies have started issuing these messages ahead of the festivities after we issued the festival SOPs on September 3.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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