In a bid to tackle rising concerns over unsanitary food practices, the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is gearing up to implement two new ordinances. These measures are designed to prevent the alarming incidents of spitting and mixing of bodily fluids in food items that have surfaced in recent months.
The two proposed laws, titled the Prevention of False and Anti-Harmony Activities and Spitting Prohibition Ordinance 2024 and the UP Prevention of Contamination in Food (Consumer Right to Know) Ordinance 2024, are aimed at putting a stop to food tampering and enforcing strict penalties on offenders. These laws will target anyone involved in unsanitary food handling, such as spitting on or contaminating food.
Moreover, these regulations will prioritize transparency, ensuring that consumers have complete information about how their food is prepared and handled.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is set to meet with senior officials on Tuesday, including the Additional Chief Secretary for Home Affairs, the Law Officer, and the Director General of Police of Uttar Pradesh, to finalise the details of these ordinances. According to sources, the aim of this legislation is to strengthen consumer protections and improve food safety standards throughout the state.
The push for these new laws comes in the wake of several shocking incidents. Last month, a video went viral showing a teenager in Saharanpur spitting on rotis at a local eatery, resulting in the arrest of the restaurant owner. Similarly, two individuals in Noida were arrested for contaminating juice with urine, and a vendor in Ghaziabad was detained for allegedly spitting into fruit juice.
These cases have raised public alarm, with many calling for stricter measures to ensure food safety.
During a high-level meeting held in September, Yogi Adityanath expressed his outrage over these unsanitary practices, describing them as a breach of public trust. He instructed that all food establishments must prominently display the name and address of their operators, proprietors, and managers. Failure to comply with this directive will result in penalties.
The ordinances are expected to be implemented soon and will carry severe consequences for those found guilty of contaminating food. These actions will help ensure better food safety standards, accountability, and consumer protection across Uttar Pradesh, making it clear that the government is committed to upholding public health.
With these stringent laws in place, the state government hopes to deter unsanitary practices and restore trust in the food industry.
