Lucknow: Food establishments across UP will have to maintain prescribed licences, certificates and records and provide consumers with detailed information about the food they serve, including allergens, artificial colours, artificial sweeteners and cooking medium.The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has issued directions after inspections found shortcomings in compliance with food safety requirements. The directions have been issued under the state-wide “Shuddh Hi Shubh Hai” campaign. During inspections, food business operators will have to produce seven key records: Food licence or registration, staff health certificates, half-yearly water test reports as per IS 10500, pest-control certificate, raw-material purchase bills, storage stock register and cleaning schedule.Menu cards must provide information about potential allergens present in food items. Establishments must also disclose the type of artificial sweetener and artificial colour used in food. Where MSG (Ajinomoto) is used, the package must carry the prescribed declaration regarding its consumption by infants below 12 months and pregnant women.Food establishments holding a central licence or operating 10 or more outlets will also have to display the calorie value per serving and serving size on their menus or boards. The cooking medium used to prepare food must be displayed on the menu or at a clearly visible location. Aluminium foil used for packaging prepared food must conform to food-grade standards. For semi-cooked or ready-to-cook packaged ingredients, establishments must ensure that ingredient details and storage conditions are provided and maintained during transportation and storage.The directions are effective immediately, while compliance with these requirements will be included in inspections from Nov 1.
