Patna, July 21: Food business operators will have to obtain registration or licence by August 4 this year, failing which they will be penalised.

D.P. Guha, the joint director, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Calcutta, said: “The food safety law pres cribed imprisonment of up to six months and fine up to Rs 6 lakh for carrying out business without a licence. Roadside vendors would be fined with Rs 25,000 for violation of the act.”

Guha was in Patna to attend a workshop organised by Bihar Industries Association (BIA) in association with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Calcutta.

BIA president KPS Keshri said: “Food business operators with an annual turnover of Rs 12 lakh would have to get registered, while those having annual turnover above Rs 12 lakh would have to get licence by then.”

The act, enforced on August 5, 2011, was introduced to ensure quality and hygienic food at every stage —from production to consumption level.

About 50 food business operators — representatives of sugar mills, restaurants, meat shop owners, grocery shop owners and others took part.