Weeding out ‘anti-social elements’, ‘illegal citizens’: Behind UP govt’s new food ordinances

During the meeting, it was decided that the new provisions would also allow strict action in case an employee of a food establishment is confirmed to be an “illegal foreign citizen”.

The move comes a month after the state government made it mandatory for owners and managers of eateries in the state to display their names prominently amid incidents of spitting and mixing urine in food.

“In recent times, incidents of adulteration of food items like juice, dal and roti with human waste, inedible and filthy things have been seen in various parts of the country. Such incidents are horrific and adversely affect the health of the common man. It also adversely affects social harmony. Such attempts cannot be accepted at all,” a senior government official told The Indian Express. “Thus, it has been decided to put a permanent stop on such incidents in the state through stringent laws.”

He said that at Tuesday’s meeting the Chief Minister directed that the law should ensure trust of consumers and purity of food items at eateries such as hotels, restaurants, dhabas and those sold by street vendors.

“It has been decided to make provisions of imprisonment and fine against those who violate the law and that action should be taken under the proposed law by considering such crime as cognizable and non-bailable,” said another official.

Sources said the Chief Minister also directed that the new provisions should ensure that no anti-social element is able to “hide identity” and contaminate food items and beverages with human waste or any other inedible thing.

Officials said it was discussed during the meeting that every consumer must have the right to access essential information about food and beverage sellers and service providers. To ensure this, sellers should be required to display signboards at their establishments, and all personnel must wear identity cards on duty. Strict penalties will be imposed on those who provide false information or operate under pseudonyms, the officials said.

Other proposed provisions include making it mandatory for every food establishment to install a sufficient number of CCTV cameras to monitor the kitchen and dining area. The establishments will have to keep the CCTV footage for at least a month so that it is made available to the district administration if required. Further, eatery workers will have to wear head covers, masks and gloves while cooking and serving.

“Keeping the provisions discussed today in mind, the draft of both the ordinances would be ready soon,” said an official.

In July, police had asked all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display names of the owners following complaints of spitting in food. While the order was stayed by the Supreme Court, the government issued fresh directions in September on similar lines for all eateries across the state.

Sources said it was felt that in the absence of specific laws to take punitive action, implementation of the directive could not be ensured strictly. The move to bring in the new ordinances is aimed at ensuring action in case of any violation, they said.