Dimapur: In a move to enforce food safety norms, the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, has ordered the complete closure of all Food Business Operators (FBOs) in the district operating without a valid license from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The directive follows the expiration of the extended compliance deadline of May 31, 2025, which was granted to FBOs to obtain mandatory FSSAI licenses and conduct water sample testing in accordance with Regulation 2.10.8 of the Food Safety & Standards Regulations, 2011. The extension had been formally communicated via a government notification issued on February 19, 2025.
The Deputy Commissioner reminded that under sub-section 1 of section 31 of the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006, “No person shall commence or carry on any food business except under a license.”
In line with this legal mandate, the District Level Advisory Committee (DLAC), chaired by the Deputy Commissioner himself, had earlier issued an advisory directing FBOs to comply.
As several firms failed to meet the stipulated licensing requirements within the extended timeframe, the district administration has now enforced a total closure of the defaulting units.
“Consequent upon the expiration of the given extended time period i.e. 31st May 2025, it is hereby ordered for a total closure of the firms against the defaulting Food Business Operators who have not obtained the FSSAI License and shall not place the product for sale of human consumption in the market,” the DC stated.
Additionally, manufacturers whose products lack proper label information have been ordered to recall all such items from the market. “Further, the concerned manufacturers are hereby directed to recall the products which was supplied to the market without bearing label information,” it added
The order has been issued in the interest of public health and safety.
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