Monday, 30 July 2012

JMC makes fitness certificate necessary for people serving food in Dhabas, restaurants

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, July 29: From now on the food handlers in road side Dhabas and Chefs in five star hotels will have to pass a fitness test before seeking extension of the license in Jammu, to ensure that people get healthy food. 

The decision has been taken as per the Government of India’s Food Act 2006 which has laid down specific norms for the people who deal with the consumers directly.Officials said that corporation has also launched a special awareness among the people associated with hotel and restaurant industry to ensure that sanitation is maintained.
 

The rampant adulteration in the commodities and lack of proper sanitation in different parts of city increases the risk of the spreading of the diseases in the upcoming rainy season.
 

Further people of the city alleged that many edible products such as the paneer, dahi, ghee, milk and many others were being adulterated by the suppliers which has made it difficult for them to intake all this. Many sweets such as ras malai and many other sweets made from the khoya were also mixed due to which many chances of spread of many dreadful diseases.
 

Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has directed all the Dhaba owners and restaurants to get fitness certificate for their food handlers and ensure that they are vaccinated for communicable diseases.
 

“All those people who come under direct contact with food have to demonstrate fitness for work. And renewal certificate will only be issued when the certificate is produced”, said a officer.
 

Officials said that the food handlers would also have to be vaccinated against diseases as per the schedule defined by the medical practioners, failing to adhere to which no fitness certificate would be issued and their license would be cancelled.
 

Those who intend to get or extend license from JMC have to their medical fitness certificate from any registered medical practitioners.
 

Health Officer JMC, Dr Vinod Sharma said, “It is in the interest of the people and field staff have been directed to go tough with the people who are not taking the direction seriously. There are hundreds of people working in many Dhabas and restaurants in the city and it is applicable to all”, Sharma said.

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