In response to recent incidents of food adulteration, including spitting and mixing urine in eatables, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued strict directives to ensure food safety across the state.
The Chief Minister has mandated that all food establishments, including restaurants, hotels, and dhabas, must display the names and addresses of their proprietors, managers, and operators. Additionally, it is now compulsory for chefs and waiters to wear masks and gloves. Installation of CCTV cameras has also been made mandatory in all such establishments.
Recent Incidents and Government Response
These measures come after several disturbing incidents were reported in the state. On September 12, a viral video showed a teenager spitting on rotis while preparing them at an eatery in Saharanpur, leading to the arrest of the establishment’s owner. Similarly, last week, a juice vendor in Ghaziabad was arrested for allegedly serving fruit juices mixed with urine to customers. In another incident in June, two men were arrested in Noida for allegedly selling juice contaminated with their spit.
Addressing a high-level meeting in Lucknow, Chief Minister Adityanath expressed disgust at these incidents and ordered strict action against those involved in such acts. He emphasized the need for thorough investigations and police verification of all employees at food establishments across the state.
New Directives and Amendments
The Chief Minister has also directed amendments to the Food Safety and Standards Act, aimed at enhancing food safety measures and ensuring the purity of food items. “Every food centre, whether a small dhaba or a large restaurant, must display the names and addresses of the operators, proprietors, and managers. CCTV installation will be mandatory to ensure transparency and safety,” he stated.
He further emphasized the importance of these measures, stating, “In recent times, adulteration of food items with human waste has been reported in various parts of the country. Such incidents are gruesome and pose a severe threat to public health. We cannot tolerate such actions in Uttar Pradesh.”
State-Wide Campaign for Verification
The Uttar Pradesh government will launch a state-wide campaign to verify all food establishments and their employees. A joint team from the Food Safety and Drug Administration, police, and local administration will carry out this verification process to ensure compliance with the new directives.
Earlier this year, the state government had issued a similar order for food stalls and fruit vendors along the Kanwar Yatra routes, mandating them to display the names of shop owners. While the move faced some criticism, the government argued that it was necessary for promoting transparency and helping Kanwariyas make informed choices about the food they consume.
These new directives aim to protect public health and ensure that such shocking incidents do not recur in Uttar Pradesh.
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