For all Meat and Fish shops that are running in India all states, mandatorily require applying for an FSSAI License
Why Has the FSSAI License Been Made Mandatory For Meat and Fish Shops?
Many people in India are used to eating non-vegetarian food for their daily meals. In fact, across Uttar Pradesh, non-vegetarian cuisine is quite popular. Many domestic and international travelers visit various cities in this state to enjoy the sumptuous non-vegetarian cuisine. However, none of us was aware that the way the animals were kept and butchered in the slaughterhouses was beyond imagination until it was brought to our attention. Poor hygiene and mistreating of animals was a common scenario. However, with the change of government, a lot of improvements are taking place.
According to the new law, all slaughterhouses and butcher shops operating illegally for many years have been directed to close their operations immediately. To reopen their business, they would have to take proper licenses and follow guidelines laid by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India). Anybody found operating without proper permissions and guidelines are subject to legal action. It is advisable to obtain FSSAI License if you are operating a meat / Fish shop in India.
As per the laws, any shop that gathers ten animals a day would fall under the category of the meat shop. Anybody other than that is called a butcher house. To operate within the current laws, all these shops have to renew their licenses or are required to get new permits to keep their business running. According to FSSAI, all meat shops and slaughterhouses are required to run their shops as per below guidelines:
- All shops need to apply for FSSAI registration to run a meat or slaughter shop.
- They need to be compliant with all the rules and regulations laid down by the authority.
- They need to maintain animal welfare to ensure proper hygiene is achieved.
- Only goat, sheep, pigs, bovine, poultry, and fish are allowed to be slaughtered. Killing any other animal apart from these is considered illegal.
- Proper animal welfare is to be maintained during the transportation of animals.
- Infrastructure upgrades to existing shops to maintain hygiene standards is essential. Hence, all the roadside meat shops need to shut down their businesses.
FSSAI License For Running Meat Shops And Slaughterhouses
In the current scenario, all meat shops are running under the licenses provided by the civic bodies. However, with new laws in practice, all state food commissioners and urban body secretaries are required to issue or renew licenses to all of these shops. Meat shops would no longer be permitted to operate unless they are registered or acquire a mandatory license from the Centre.
How To Maintain Meat Products As Per FSSAI Guidelines?
There are certain measures laid down by the FSSAI that should be followed when it comes to meat storage and handling. Some of them are as follows
- Fresh meat must be chilled in between 0 to 7 degrees and the frozen meat must be stored at -18 degrees or below.
- Meat products must be stored under proper labeling and with adequate segregation with a view to maintain temperature control during the storage time.
- The storage containers should be made of non-toxic material.
- There must be an adequate supply of water and facility should be in place for safe and clean storage of water
