Port Blair, Feb. 19: All business operators manufacturing/processing, sorting, grading food articles, milk collection/chilling units, slaughter house, packaging, re-labeling, importer, storage/warehouse/cold storage operators, whole sale traders, retail traders, distributors/ supplier, Transporter of food, Food catering, dhaba, club/canteen, hotel/restaurant operators, hawkers, home based canteens, petty retailer of snacks/tea shops, temporary food stalls, milk producers/milk vendors, fish/meat/poultry shop/seller, Central Govt. and State Govt. institutions like Railways, Defence, Sea Ports, Airports, Guest Houses/Circuit Houses, State Departmental Canteens/Office canteen operators, Food arrangements in religious gathering/fairs etc shall not commence any food business without a valid License/Registration issued under Food Safety and Standard (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations,2011.

The Govt. of India has further extended the last date of issue of license/registration from 4th February, 2013 to 4th February, 2014. Therefore all Food Business Operators are requested to obtain license/registration from the Competent Authorities before the deadline of 4th Feb., 2014. The Heads of Departments/Offices are responsible for obtaining License/Registration for their departmental canteens/food stalls.