Dimapur court convicts food business operator under Food Safety Act, imposes ₹1 lakh fine

Kohima, 31^st August 2026 (Nokinketer News): In a significant boost to food safety enforcement in Nagaland, the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court in Dimapur has convicted a food business operator (FBO) under Section 59(i) of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, sentencing the offender to simple imprisonment and imposing a fine of ₹1 lakh.

The Directorate of Health and Family Welfare (Food Safety) said on Monday that the conviction was delivered on August 4 in a criminal complaint filed by the Food Safety Officer (FSO), Dimapur, and the Designated Officer (DO), Dimapur Zone. The prosecution was conducted by the Additional Public Prosecutor and Assistant Public Prosecutor, Dimapur.

The department said the judgment is the second such conviction under the Food Safety and Standards Act in Nagaland this year.

Earlier, on March 16, the CJM Court in Mokokchung had convicted another food business operator under the same provision of the Act, awarding simple imprisonment and a fine of ₹1 lakh. That case was filed by the then Food Safety Officer, Mokokchung, and the Designated Officer, who is now the Deputy Commissioner of Food Safety.

Officials said the two convictions mark an important step in strengthening enforcement of food safety laws across the state. Several other food safety cases are currently pending before CJM courts and Adjudicating Officer (AO/ADC) courts in different districts.

The Health and Family Welfare Department reiterated its commitment to ensuring the quality, hygiene and safety of food products sold in Nagaland and warned that stringent legal action would continue against violators of the Food Safety and Standards Act.

The department urged all stakeholders in the food supply chain—including manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, hotels, restaurants, cafés, canteens, cloud kitchens, home-based food businesses and repackers—to strictly comply with food safety regulations.

“It is the statutory responsibility of every food business operator to ensure that safe, unadulterated and wholesome food reaches consumers,” the department said.

Consumers have also been encouraged to report food safety violations to the Food Safety Cell under the office of the Chief Medical Officer in their respective districts. Complaints can also be lodged through the Food Safety Connectmobile application developed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which also allows users to verify food business licences.

Reiterating that food safety is a shared responsibility, the department appealed to businesses and consumers alike to remain vigilant and work together to ensure safe food for all.

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