AHAR challenges Maharashtra FDA crackdown, to approach FSSAI and Union Health Ministry

A fresh tussle has broken out between Maharashtrarsquos Food and Drug Administration FDA and the statersquos hotel and restaurant industry While the FDA has intensified its crackdown on food safety violations across Maharashtra the Indian Hotel amp Restaurant Association AHAR has decided to approach the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI and the Union Health Ministry questioning whether some recent FDA notifications are consistent with the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006Vijay K ShettyAHAR says it supports strict action against unhygienic food businesses but wants enforcement to be legally sound transparent and applied uniformly to licensed and unlicensed food vendors alikeWhy AHAR is objectingThe hotel body claims some recent FDA notificationsgtgt Are not in line with the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006gtgt Have created uncertainty among licensed food businessesgtgt Are allegedly being misused by selfstyled RTI activists alleged extortionists and members of the public to pressure establishmentsFDArsquos raid conducted on Tuesday PicsBy Special ArrangementAHAR said it will soon meet senior officials of the FSSAI and the Union Health Ministry in New Delhi to seek clarity on the legality of these notifications and request safeguards against their alleged misuseAHARrsquos standVijay K Shetty President AHARlsquoThe action by FDA is creating fear and panic among hoteliers The reputation and goodwill created by our forefathers over so many years is also getting shattered We do not ask for lesser accountability We ask for equal accountability A plate of food carries the same responsibility whether it comes from a fivestar kitchen or a roadside cart Let the State choose one standard and hold every food provider licensed and unlicensed alike to it Anything less is not regulation It is selective enforcement dressed as reformrsquoThe Cricket Club of India kitchen where FDA inspectors reported multiple food safety and hygiene violations leading to the suspension of its licence on July 28FDArsquos positionThe FDA has maintained that the statewide drive is aimed solely at ensuring safe and hygienic food for consumersThe department has repeatedly said that all food business operators must comply with prescribed food safety standardsRecent actionTewari Bros Sweetsgtgt Food licence suspendedgtgt FDA cited hygiene violationsgtgt midday had earlier reported a rusted pin allegedly found in kaju katli sold by the establishmentTomatoes found to be spoilt during the FDArsquos inspection of the Juhu Gymkhana kitchen last monthAmol Doodh Dairy Chhatrapati SambhajinagarFDA seized suspectedgtgt Analogue paneergtgt Gheegtgt Creamgtgt Refined soybean oilgtgt Value seized Rs 312 lakhOfficials alleged the products were stored in nonfoodgrade barrelsSamples have been sent for laboratory analysis Further legal action will depend on the test reportsThe kitchen at RK Juhu Gymkhana before its licence was suspended due to hygiene and food safety violations PicsBy Special ArrangementWhat AHAR wantsThe association says it is seekinggtgt Clarity on the legality of recent FDA notificationsgtgt Uniform enforcement across licensed and unlicensed food businessesgtgt Protection against the alleged misuse of regulatory directionsgtgt A meeting with FSSAI and Union Health Ministry officialsThe issue at the heart of the disputeFDA saysgtgt Food safety norms must be strictly enforcedgtgt Consumers are entitled to safe and hygienic foodAHAR saysgtgt Enforcement should remain strict but legally sustainablegtgt The same standards should apply to every food seller whether licensed restaurants or unlicensed vendorsCrackdown by the numbersJuly 30August 3Action NumberEnforcement actions 30Hotels restaurants and dhabas inspected 98Improvement notices 57Food licences suspended 14Value of food seized Over Rs 223 crore