The Uttarakhand government has mandated that all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route must prominently display their food licenses or registration certificates to ensure transparency and food safety for lakhs of devotees undertaking the annual pilgrimage.
Hotels, dhabas, food carts, and stalls must now keep a clean, visible copy of their licenses or registration certificates so that consumers can easily verify compliance, Health Secretary and Food Safety Commissioner R Rajesh Kumar announced. Even small traders and food cart operators must carry and display their registration documents.
Additionally, all establishments are required to install a ‘Food Safety Display Board’ in a clearly visible spot, informing customers who is responsible for the food’s quality. Officials warned that violators will face strict action under Section 55 of the Food Safety Act 2006, with fines reaching up to ₹2 lakh.
“There will be no compromise on the quality of food served to devotees at pandals and community kitchens,” Kumar stressed, adding that immediate legal action will be taken against adulterators or those tampering with food standards. “The health of pilgrims is our top priority.”
Special teams of food safety officers have already been deployed in Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, and Uttarkashi districts to collect samples of milk, sweets, oil, spices, and beverages from pandals, which will be tested in labs. If any sample fails to meet safety standards, the concerned establishment will be shut down immediately, said Additional Commissioner of Food Safety Tajbar Singh Jaggi.
