Yogi Adityanath also instructed that chefs and wait staff must wear masks and gloves, and mandated the installation of CCTV cameras in all hotels and restaurants.
Yogi Adityanath
In a move to strengthen food safety standards in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed all eateries to prominently display the names and addresses of their operators, proprietors, and managers. This decision comes in response to several incidents of food adulteration, where contaminated and unsanitary practices were uncovered.
During a high-level meeting, Yogi Adityanath also emphasized the need for stricter hygiene protocols, mandating that chefs and wait staff wear masks and gloves. In addition, all hotels and restaurants are now required to install CCTV cameras to enhance surveillance and ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
The Chief Minister’s directive follows a series of disturbing incidents. On September 12, a viral video showed a teenager spitting on rotis at a Saharanpur eatery, which led to the arrest of the restaurant owner. Similarly, a juice vendor in Ghaziabad was apprehended last week for allegedly serving drinks mixed with urine. In another case in Noida, two individuals were arrested for selling contaminated juice.
In light of these incidents, Adityanath has ordered a thorough investigation of all food establishments across the state. He also called for amendments to the Food Safety and Standards Act to ensure public health is prioritized, with stricter laws for food adulteration. Police verification of employees at eateries has also been mandated to further tighten safety measures.
“Food adulteration with human waste and other unsanitary substances is not only unacceptable but also poses a serious health threat. Strict action will be taken against those involved,” said Adityanath, adding that these incidents have highlighted the need for comprehensive reforms.
Earlier this year, the state government ordered food stalls along Kanwar Yatra routes to display owners’ names to promote transparency. While the directive faced criticism from some quarters, it was defended as a measure to ensure food safety for pilgrims.
Opposition leaders, however, have voiced concerns. SP MLA Ravidas Mehrotra accused the government of targeting marginalized communities through this policy, while UP Congress Chief Ajay Rai questioned the necessity of additional identity displays, suggesting that existing GSTIN numbers already provide detailed information about business owners.
Despite the criticism, the state government remains firm in its stance, emphasizing that these measures are necessary to safeguard public health and prevent the recurrence of such gruesome incidents.
