Adopting a policy of zero tolerance towards cases of food adulteration, the Delhi government on Tuesday made it mandatory for all restaurants and hotels in the national capital to register and get food safety licences within a month. Officials said that for the benefit of those in the hospitality business, the licences can be obtained through a simplified online process. The city government said that those operating without the food safety licence can face imprisonment up to six months and Rs 5 lakh fine, under the law. The decision was taken in a meeting between Delhi’s health minister Satyendar Jain and new food safety commissioner Mrinalini Darswal. The minister said that chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has directed all concerned departments to come down heavily on the adulteration menace. Dr Darswal said that the Directorate of Prevention of Food Adulteration will strictly enforce the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, in Delhi. Section 31 (1) of this law clearly states, “No person shall commence or carry on any food business except under a licence.” She said that all the restaurants and hotels applying for food safety licences will get it through a simplified online process. “Applicants can apply online and the department will process their applications and send them their licences on email,” she said. For the benefit of those in the hospitality business and also for the general public, the department will make all concerned aware that the 2006 law provides for imprisonment up to six months and Rs 5 lakh fine for those running restaurants and hotels without food safety licences. Mr Jain said the Delhi government will adopt a policy of zero tolerance towards cases of food adulteration and will deal strictly with it. “The government wants to encourage trade and business in the national capital and licensing processes are being simplified but interests of consumers will also be protected,” officials said.