Uttar Pradesh to introduce new law to address spitting in food

With the perceived aim to establish the incidents of spitting in food, the Uttar Pradesh government led by Yogi Adityanath is set to bring a law to tackle the alleged incidents of spitting in food establishments across the state, The Indian Express reported.

This comes after earlier directives mandating food establishments to prominently display the names and contact details of their owners and managers.

A high-level meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, was convened on Tuesday evening with senior administrative officials from various departments, including Home, Food and Civil Supplies, and Law. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the provisions of the new legislation.

Two ordinances are expected to be introduced in the coming days, tentatively titled the "Prevention of Pseudo and Anti-Harmony Activities and Prohibition of Spitting Ordinance 2024" and the "Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Contamination in Food (Consumer Right to Know) Ordinance 2024." These laws are designed to define both preventive and punitive measures to address issues of food safety and hygiene, particularly spitting and other forms of contamination.

The move follows a series of incidents involving food adulteration, including reports of spitting and the mixing of urine in food items, which have raised concerns regarding public health and safety. In response to these incidents, the state government had previously issued directives requiring eateries to display the names and addresses of operators, proprietors, and managers in a bid to increase transparency and accountability.

Authorities are expected to make necessary amendments to the Food Safety and Standards Act to ensure compliance with the new measures. The government aims to enhance consumer protection and reinforce hygiene standards in food establishments across Uttar Pradesh.