Leh, 28 August (H.S.): Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has ordered a strict crackdown on food safety violations across the union territory of Ladakh, warning nearly 8,800 food business operators (FBOs) of stringent action, including penalties of up to Rs 10 lakh and imprisonment in serious cases, officials said.

The directive, aimed at safeguarding public health and ensuring compliance with statutory food safety standards, was issued by the administration on the directions of Saxena.

Ladakh has 428 FSSAI licence holders and 8,355 FSSAI registration holders, they said.

The administration has made it mandatory for all FBOs to comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and ensure that food manufactured, processed, stored, transported, distributed or sold in Ladakh is safe, wholesome and conforms to prescribed standards, they said.

Food safety is not merely a regulatory requirement; it is a fundamental responsibility towards the health and well-being of every citizen. Every Food Business Operator must ensure that the food served to our people is safe, hygienic and of the prescribed standard. There will be zero tolerance for any such violations that put public health at risk, Saxena said.

He, however, stressed that enforcement would remain fair, transparent and firmly grounded in law.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar