Karnataka High Court stays some sections of Food Safety Act

The Karnataka High Court today stayed for three months operation of certain sections of Food Safety and Standards Act and also some regulations of the Food Safety and Standards (licencing and registration of food business) Regulations on a writ plea.

The Karnataka Pradesh Hotels and Restaurants Association and Bruhat Bangalore Hotels Association had challenged four regulations, which included a stipulation that every food unit must have a technically qualified person with a degree or diploma in microbiology to supervise the food-making process.

The other regulation was that every such unit must have microbiological lab which the petitioners contended was “impractical.”

Certain conditions required for granting licence, including giving a list of food items that the unit would be preparing, was also challenged by the petitioners.

Justice Mohan Shantanagoudar also stayed the notice issued by the Commissioner of Food Safety and Family Welfare on the last date (August 4) given to food units to register themselves under the Food Safety and Standards Act.