'Prohibition Of Spitting, Right To Know': Yogi Adityanath Plans Two Ordinances To Prevent Food Contamination In UP

Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath plans to back his food safety directives with laws so that they cannot be put on hold by the judiciary in the future, like what happened during the Kanwar Yatra.

UP government had issued a directive requiring eateries along the Kanwariya pilgrim route to display the names of their owners and staff in July this year but this was stayed by the Supreme Court.

Later, on 24 September, another order was issued directing all food outlets in the state to visibly display the names and addresses of their operators, proprietors, and managers.

This came after multiple cases of food contamination over recent months in the state. Adityanath had then said that amendments will be made to existing food safety laws to implement these orders if needed.

Now, he seems firm on this as a high-level meeting of senior administrative officers of several departments, including Home, Food, Civil Supplies and Law, has been called to discuss the legal options.

The meeting scheduled for Tuesday (15 October) evening will witness the participation of Additional Chief Secretary for Home Affairs Deepak Kumar, Consumer Minister Ashish Singh and Sanjeev Gupta (Home Secretary DGP).

Two ordinances, one to prevent spitting on food, which can be seen in many viral videos, the most notable recently was from Saharanpur and another to prevent food contamination will be discussed.

They are tentatively named "Prevention of Pseudo and Anti-Harmony Activities and Prohibition of Spitting Ordinance 2024" and “Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Contamination in Food (Consumer Right to know) Ordinance 2024."

They will have provisions of strict penalties on individuals engaging in food tampering, such as spitting or other unhygienic behaviors and will guarantee transparency to consumers about how their food is prepared and handled.

This transparency was hitherto prescribed only for packaged food items and for the direct sellers in the Consumer Protection Act 2019 but did not specifically mention food sellers, bringing the necessity for ordinances.

Adityanath had earlier voiced his strong disapproval of such practices, labeling them a breach of public trust.  Wearing of masks and gloves by chefs and waiters and installation of CCTV cameras was also directed then.