New Delhi, 18 June (H.S.): The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed hotels and all food business establishments across the country to use only food-grade, corrosion-resistant knives, blades, and other cutting equipment for the preparation, processing, cutting, and packaging of food items.

In an advisory issued on Thursday, the FSSAI said that several food establishments have been using rusted, damaged, chipped, or poorly maintained cutting tools, increasing the risk of physical, chemical, and microbiological contamination of food.

Among its key directives, the FSSAI instructed food business operators to use only food-grade and corrosion-resistant knives, blades, and cutting equipment. It also called for regular inspection and maintenance of these tools and mandated proper cleaning, sanitisation, and sterilisation procedures to ensure food safety and hygiene.

The FSSAI warned that establishments failing to comply with these directives could face action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Food safety officers in states and Union Territories have also been instructed to carry out strict monitoring and inspections to ensure compliance.

The latest directive is part of the FSSAI's continued efforts to strengthen food safety standards following its recent decision to prohibit the use of stapler pins in food packaging.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar