FDA TO COMMENCE A SPECIAL DRIVE TO WEED OUT UNLICENSED CATERERS, NON REGISTERED PARTY HALLS

Panaji: October 8, 2026

The Directorate of Foods and Drugs Administration (FDA) will commence a special drive to weed out unlicensed caterers and non-registered party halls. All such caterers/ party halls owners have been asked to approach the FDA office or log in to foscos.fssai.gov.in and apply for a license immediately within the next 3 weeks or approach the FDA help desk for assistance.

Any person or group involved in preparation, storage, serving and/ or transport of food for consumption of a group may be as small as 10 to 25 persons or a large number at a venue of ceremony, celebration, ritual, institutions is defined as a caterers.

Any person or persons or entity engaged in preparing and serving food/ snacks to events, small parties etc. is defined as caterer.

FDA has asked caterers to ensure that they have obtained a license under the FSS Act 2006 (FSSAI) license which is mandatory; to ensure that all basic hygiene norms stipulated under (Schedule 4) of FSS Act 2006 is followed and ensure every food handler has a valid Sanitary Card.

All party hall operators and committees having party halls for public and private events are requested to note that the scope of business of a party hall (private or attached to religious houses) which are given on hire for event require a FSSAI license.

A party hall of Food Business Operations (FBO) is defined as a specified area such as hall which is used for the purpose of hosting parties and ceremonies involved in preparation and serving of food to customers for consumption.

FBO’s are required to ensure that every party hall obtains a license or registration certificate under the FSS Act 2006 (FSSAI) license which is Mandatory and this shall be displayed in the party hall at all times; they have to ensure that all basic hygiene norms stipulated under (Scheduled 4) of FSS Act 2006 i.e ensuring the availability of a proper kitchen, pantry will all facilities of waste disposal, potable water is made available and they have to ensure that a proper permanent structure pantry/ kitchen is provided to caterers.

If such caterers or party halls are found operating without FSSAI license they shall be liable for punishment under section 63 of FSSA act which involves filling of a legal case and a penalty upto 10 lakhs.

DIP/NB/AXP/GJG/CR/SN/2026/693