Better watch out, FDA tells city bars

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) department has decided to conduct strict checks at city bars on New Years Eve this year. They will look out for proper hygiene standards as per the Food and Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) law.

This is the first time that the officers will enter the premises of city bars to collect liquor samples since the FSSAI Act, which placed liquors under FDA's jurisdiction, came into place last year.

Meanwhile, the liquor lobby, which requires double licenses (both from the excise department as well as the FDA) after the Act, has been warring against the FDA ever since the Act came into place.

Suresh Deshmukh, joint commissioner food, warns, "This New Year's Eve, when the city is all set to groove, we might make a surprise visit and check these venues to see if FSSAI standards are being followed. Not only this, we are also planning to collect liquor samples from country liquor bars and others to see that no spurious liquor is served. The test of these liquor samples will be done on priority basis."

Deshmukh added that if anyone is found guilty, the officials would revoke their FDA license. "Maintaining hygiene levels and serving the right quality of drinks is important. If they are found guilty, appropriate action will be taken. People cannot take law into their own hands," asserted Deshmukh.

FDA have set up a special squad for New Year's Eve which will look out for any such violation. "We request people to get their licenses in place. If not, the owners will have to face the music," he added.u00a0