PANAJI: The Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has launched a special drive against unregistered food businesses, including local vendors, home bakers, pop-up stalls, car boot operators, social media-based food sellers, caterers and party halls.
In an advisory issued by FDA Director Shweta Dessai, the department has directed operators conducting food business without the required registration or licence to immediately stop unregistered operations and comply with applicable food safety regulations.
The FDA has made it mandatory for such food business operators (FBOs) to obtain an FSSAI registration or licence and, where applicable, a Local Body NOC from the concerned panchayat, municipal council, or Corporation of the City of Panaji. They must also comply with prescribed food safety and hygiene standards. The department has warned that operators found functioning without the mandatory FSSAI licence could face legal action under Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The provision provides for legal proceedings and a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh.
The FDA has given unlicensed caterers and party hall operators three weeks to apply for the required licence. Applications can be submitted through the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal at foscos.fssai.gov.in. Operators may also approach the FDA office or help desk for assistance with the registration and licensing process. The department has specifically outlined requirements for caterers, defining them as persons or entities engaged in the preparation, storage, serving or transportation of food for groups at ceremonies, events or institutions.
According to the advisory, an FSSAI licence is mandatory for caterers, who must also comply with the basic food safety and hygiene requirements prescribed under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Every food handler is required to possess a valid Sanitary Card. The special drive will also cover banquet halls, private venues and halls attached to religious establishments where food preparation or catering arrangements are involved. Such venues fall under the FBO category and are required to obtain an FSSAI licence or registration and display it on the premises. Their management must ensure compliance with basic hygiene requirements, including the availability of potable water and proper waste disposal facilities.
The FDA has further directed party hall managements to provide a proper, permanent kitchen or pantry structure for visiting caterers. The department has stressed that venues and food businesses cannot operate outside the regulatory framework simply because catering is outsourced or food is sold through temporary or online channels. "All food business operators are required to ensure full legal compliance and adhere to the prescribed food safety and hygiene requirements," the advisory states.
The FDA has urged unregistered operators to use the three-week window to regularise their businesses and obtain the necessary approvals. Those continuing to operate without the required registration or licence could face enforcement action under the Food Safety and Standards Act. The advisory also applies to food sellers operating through social media, pop-up stalls and car boot setups, who have been asked to ensure that their kitchens and vending points have the necessary FSSAI registration and comply with food safety norms.
