The Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Food Safety, has informed for public awareness that in continuation to the enforcement of food safety laws in the state, the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court, Dimapur, on 4th August 2026 has convicted a Food Business Operator (FBO) under Section 59(i) of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006. The Court has sentenced the defaulting Food Business Operator to simple imprisonment and imposed a penalty of ₹1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh). The criminal complaint case was filed by Food Safety Officer (FSO) Dimapur and Designated Officer (DO) Dimapur Zone. The State was represented by Additional Public Prosecutor and Assistant Public Prosecutor of Dimapur.

For context, similar conviction under the FSSA, 2006, in the State was recorded on 16th March 2026 in the Court of the CJM, Mokokchung. In that precedent-setting case, the accused FBO was similarly convicted under Section 59(i) of the Act, receiving a sentence of simple imprisonment and a fine of ₹1,00,000/ (Rupees one Lakh). The case was filed by the then FSO of Mokokchung and DO (present Dy. Commissioner of Food Safety).

These judgments mark another landmark step forward in strengthening the enforcement mechanism of food safety regulations across Nagaland. Presently, multiple active food safety cases are undergoing trial before both the CJM Courts and the Adjudicating Officer (AO/ADC) Courts in various districts of the State.

Health & Family Welfare remains committed to monitoring the quality, hygiene, and safety of food products sold across Nagaland, and will continue to take stringent legal action against any violations of the provisions under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The Department hereby urged all stakeholders involved in the food supply chain—including manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, wholesalers, home based manufacturers, cloud kitchen, hotels/restaurants/canteens/cafes, re-packers and retailers - to maintain strict vigilance and ensure compliance. It is the statutory duty of every food business operator to guarantee that safe, unadulterated, and wholesome food reaches the citizens.

Further, if any food safety discrepancies are observed, the consumers are strongly encouraged to lodge formal complaints with the respective Food Safety Cell under the office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in their respective Zones. The citizens may also utilise the "Food Safety Connect" mobile application, developed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), to report issues online and verify food business licenses.

The Department reiterates that maintaining food safety is a shared civic responsibility.