Entries invited from food business operators for State government awards

The Food Safety Department has invited entries from food business operators (FBOs) in Cuddalore district for the award instituted by the Tamil Nadu government for best practices adopted to reduce the use of single-use plastic products and other plastic materials banned by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The award carries a cash prize of ₹1 lakh for FBOs with an annual turnover of more than ₹12 lakh. The winner of FBOs with an annual turnover below ₹12 lakh, such as roadside eateries and push carts, will win a cash prize of ₹50,000.

At the State level, one licensed hotel and one small registered hotel will receive the cash prizes. Eligible hotels must have a valid FSSAI license or registration. They are also required to have at least one staff member trained in food safety, hygiene rating certification, medical certificates for all staff, and proper hygiene and waste management practices.

Interested FBOs should submit their applications at the office of the Designated Officer (DO) of FSSAI in Cuddalore on or before November 25.

A committee headed by the District Collector and comprising DO FSSAI will review the applications and task a third-party audit agency for field visits. It will recommend the short-listed entries to the Commissioner of Food Safety, Chennai, for review by a State-level committee. One FBO each in the two categories will be selected as winners by the State-level committee for all districts.