THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Operation FOSCOS license drive will be conducted across the state from August 1 under the leadership of Food Safety Department. Minister Veena George has announced that through this special drive, legal action will be taken against the establishments that operate only by using a registration instead of a license.

Registration shall not be used as a substitute for a license. Only very small traders are allowed to operate with registration alone. Only nominal documents need to be submitted for a food safety license. The procedure for obtaining a license is transparent and easily achievable.

Business operators should be careful to provide their own telephone number and e-mail address when applying for the license. Instructions regarding the license, timelines and points to be noted will all be communicated at various times as messages to the phone number and email provided in the license application.

Food Safety Department is planning to conduct POSCOS drive for two days across the state with the intention of bringing the establishments working with only the registration, due to any misunderstanding, under license.

Food Safety Department is conducting license fairs in all districts to assist traders and business operators in obtaining licenses. The minister also informed that the food safety officials have been instructed to take decisions on the applications submitted for food safety licenses very quickly. Applications should not be delayed for any reason. If the applicants are eligible for the license, care should be taken to issue the license as soon as possible. Minister also clarified that in case the license is not received for any reason within 30 days after applying, the applicants will receive the automatically generated license in their email.