1 hr ago
Maharashtra FDA Says Food Rules Do Not Restrict Festivals
Maharashtra’s food-safety department issued rules for food served at festivals and large gatherings.
Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the rules are about safe food, not about stopping festivals.
The rules are meant to reduce food adulteration and prevent illness.
They apply throughout the year instead of being issued separately before each festival.
The same rules apply to all communities and religions.
Food sellers, caterers, organisers and officials each have responsibilities.
People can still hold festivals, distribute prasad and organise bhandaras.
The goal is to let people celebrate while making sure the food is safe.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the directive targets food safety, not festivals or religious celebrations.
The year-round Festival Enforcement Calendar is designed to prevent food adulteration during festivals and large gatherings.
Mundhe said food-safety registration and licensing rules have existed since 2011 and are not being replaced.
The religion-neutral order applies to all communities, festivals, vendors, caterers, organisers and food-service activities.
The directive does not prohibit bhandaras, prasad, religious rituals or community food distribution, according to the FDA chief.
- Who
- The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration and Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.
- What
- The FDA issued a year-round framework for enforcing existing food-safety rules at festivals and large gatherings.
- Where
- Maharashtra, at festivals and large public gatherings.
- When
- The standing order was recently introduced; the underlying food-safety legal framework has existed since 2011.
- Why
- To prevent food adulteration and illness and clarify the responsibilities of officials, vendors, caterers, food business operators and organisers.
Key facts
- Regulator
- Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration
- Commissioner
- Tukaram Mundhe
- Framework
- Year-round Festival Enforcement Calendar
- Existing law
- Food-safety registration and licensing rules have been in existence since 2011
- Coverage
- Festivals and large gatherings across communities and religions
- Stated purpose
- Prevent food adulteration and illness
- Activities not prohibited
- Bhandaras, prasad, religious rituals and community food distribution
Quotes
Tukaram Mundhe
Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner
“We are not regulating festivals; we are ensuring that food served at festivals - just as in weddings, bhandaras, Eid, Christmas, New Year's Eve events and other gatherings -- is safe and compliant with a law that has existed since 2011”
m.rediff.com
“The objective is not to restrict celebration but to prevent illness. Let festivals be celebrated with faith, joy and tradition and let the food served during the festivities be safe”
m.rediff.com
Sources
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