In response to alarming incidents of food adulteration in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued a series of directives aimed at enhancing food safety standards across the state. During a high-level meeting on Tuesday, Adityanath emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in food establishments, mandating that the names and addresses of operators, proprietors, and managers be prominently displayed at all food centers.
The directives come in the wake of several disturbing incidents, including a viral video showing a teenager spitting on rotis in a Saharanpur eatery, which resulted in the arrest of the restaurant owner. Additionally, a juice vendor in Ghaziabad was arrested for allegedly serving fruit juices contaminated with urine. These events have raised public concerns about the hygiene and safety of food served in the state.
To further address these issues, Adityanath instructed that chefs and waiters must wear masks and gloves while working. He also mandated the installation of CCTV cameras in all hotels and restaurants to monitor activities and enhance safety measures. The Chief Minister described the presence of human waste in food as “disgusting” and vowed to take strict action against those responsible for such adulteration.
“There should be thorough investigations and police verification of all hotels, dhabas, restaurants, and related establishments in the state,” Adityanath stated. He emphasized that necessary amendments should be made to the Food Safety and Standards Act to uphold the purity and sanctity of food items served to the public.
In a broader context, the Chief Minister acknowledged the growing concerns about food safety not only in Uttar Pradesh but across the country. He mentioned the need for a statewide campaign to verify the identities and backgrounds of employees working in food establishments to prevent any future occurrences of such incidents.
Dayashankar Mishra ‘Dayalu’, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Food Security, and Drug Administration, supported the Chief Minister’s directives. He pointed out that the new measures would help ensure accountability and transparency in the food service industry.
However, the government’s move has not been without criticism. Opposition leaders, including Ravidas Mehrotra from the Samajwadi Party and Ajay Rai from the Congress, have raised concerns about the implications of these directives. They argue that the requirements may disproportionately affect vendors from Dalit, backward, and minority communities, and called for the government to establish its own affordable eateries instead.
Sources By Agencies
