Key Facts

Chennai District Collector S. Malathi Helen has asked all food businesses and individuals making Diwali sweets and savouries to follow food-safety norms. Every producer must hold a licence or registration under the food-safety law, including temporary stalls, marriage halls and home-based makers who take orders, and must display the certificate. Packs must show the date of manufacture, expiry period, address, registration number and the vegetarian or non-vegetarian mark. Only permitted colours may be used in limited quantity, milk-based sweets should not be packed with other sweets because of their shorter shelf life, and cooking oil must not be reused. Workers must wear gloves, caps and aprons. Consumers can complain on the Food Safety WhatsApp number 94440 42322, the foodsafety.tn.gov.in website or the TN Food Safety Consumer App.

GK Context

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 created the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under the Union Health Ministry, which sets standards and licenses food businesses; registration is for small operators with turnover up to ₹12 lakh and a licence is needed for larger businesses. In Tamil Nadu the Commissionerate of Food Safety enforces the Act through designated officers. The Eat Right India movement promotes safe and healthy food.