Dimapur, August 31 (MExN): The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court, Dimapur, has convicted a Food Business Operator (FBO) under Section 59(i) of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, and sentenced the operator to simple imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 1 lakh.
According to the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Food Safety, the conviction was recorded on August 4, 2026, as part of the state’s continuing enforcement of food safety laws. The criminal complaint was filed by the Food Safety Officer (FSO), Dimapur, and the Designated Officer (DO), Dimapur Zone. The State was represented by the Additional Public Prosecutor and Assistant Public Prosecutor of Dimapur.
The department described the judgment as another step towards strengthening enforcement of food safety regulations in Nagaland. “These judgments mark another landmark step forward in strengthening the enforcement mechanism of food safety regulations across Nagaland,” it stated.
A similar conviction under the FSSA was recorded earlier this year in the CJM Court, Mokokchung, on March 16. In that case, an FBO was convicted under Section 59(i) and sentenced to simple imprisonment and fined Rs 1 lakh. The case was filed by the then FSO, Mokokchung, and the Designated Officer, now Deputy Commissioner of Food Safety.
The department said multiple food safety cases are currently undergoing trial before CJM Courts and Adjudicating Officer/Additional Deputy Commissioner courts in various districts.
It stated that the Health & Family Welfare Department would continue monitoring the quality, hygiene and safety of food products sold across the state and take legal action against violations of the FSSA, 2006.
The department also urged manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, wholesalers, home-based manufacturers, cloud kitchens, hotels, restaurants, canteens, cafes, repackers and retailers to ensure compliance with food safety requirements.
“It is the statutory duty of every food business operator to guarantee that safe, unadulterated, and wholesome food reaches the citizens,” the department stated.
Consumers have been advised to report food safety violations to the respective Food Safety Cells under the offices of the Chief Medical Officers in their zones. Complaints can also be lodged through the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s “Food Safety Connect” mobile application, which also allows users to verify food business licences.
The department reiterated that food safety is a shared civic responsibility. The DIPR report however did not disclose the identity or details of the convicted Food Business Operator (FBO) in either the Dimapur or Mokokchung case.
