Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, it is mandatory for all those involved in food business to get licence and registration. Doing business without a food licence will be punishable with imprisonment up to 6 months and a maximum fine of Rs 5 lakh, food and civil supplies officials said.
Those who come under the purview include milk, fruit, vegetable vendors, owners of grocery stores, hotels, restaurants, dhabas, panipuri, chaat, poha, samosa, paan kiosks, tiffin centres, transporters, ration shops, warehouses, caterers, canteens operated in government, non-government institutions and all the traders who manufacture, store, transport and sell food or food-related items.