Una, December 3- Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal has issued instructions to ensure effective compliance with food safety standards in the district. He directed officials to increase the number of food samples and take strict action against food business operators violating the rules. Additionally, the Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety has been directed to coordinate with the State Tax and Excise Department, Una, to ensure that all liquor vendors in his area compulsorily obtain food licenses. Any vendor failing to obtain a license will face penalties.
He made this statement on Wednesday while chairing a meeting of the District-Level Advisory Committee under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, to review the effective implementation of food safety regulations.
The Deputy Commissioner stated that the administration is committed to ensuring the availability of healthy, safe, and hygienic food in the district. He directed officials to take effective steps to create awareness among consumers.
The meeting reviewed the progress of enforcement activities and public awareness programs under the Food Safety Act in the district. Officials reported that a total of 482 food license operators are active in the district. Additionally, 3,985 food business operators have been registered under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Act. From April 2025 to November 28, 2025, 144 new licenses were issued in the district, generating a revenue of ?692,000, and 1,017 were registered under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Act, collecting a registration fee of ?603,000. Online facilities have also been made available to food business operators for a smooth registration and licensing process.
The meeting was informed that 88 samples were collected by food safety officers this year, of which 62 were tested in the laboratory. Of these, 14 samples were found to be non-compliant, including 2 unsafe, 5 misbranded, and 7 substandard, while 48 samples were declared compliant. A fine of 1.25 million rupees was imposed for violating food safety regulations. During the Diwali festival, 1,500 kilograms of cheese was seized as part of the food safety campaign.
Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal stated that the Food Safety and Standards Authority has provided a mobile food testing lab to Una district, which will conduct quick and free testing of milk, oil, juice, and other items. He also assured adequate staff for the smooth operation of this mobile van.
He stated that the van will also be used for awareness and monitoring purposes.
Regarding food fortification, the government has initiated initiatives to enrich milk, edible oil, flour, rice, and salt with vitamins and minerals to ensure a nutritious diet. In Una district, 1,506 liters of used edible oil was collected and used for biodiesel production. Mandatory training of food safety supervisors for food business operators is being ensured.
Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Jagdish Dhiman, DFSC Rajiv Sharma, Deputy Director Agriculture Dr. Kulbhushan Dhiman and other members of the committee were present in the meeting.