33Prohibition orders

(1) If--

(a) any food business operator is convicted of an offence under this Act; and

(b) the court by or before which he is so convicted is satisfied that the health risk exists with respect to that food business,

the court, after giving the food business operator an opportunity of being heard, may by an order, impose the following prohibitions, namely:--

(i) a prohibition on the use of the process or treatment for the purposes of the food business;

(ii) a prohibition on the use of the premises or equipment for the purposes of the food business or any other food business of the same class or description;

(iii) a prohibition on the use of the premises or equipment for the purposes of any food business.

(2) The court may, on being satisfied that it is necessary so to do, by an order, impose a prohibition on the food business operator participating in the management of any food business, or any food business of a class or description specified in the order.

(3) As soon as practicable after the making of an order under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) (in this Act referred to as a "prohibition order"), the concerned Food Safety Officer shall--

(a) serve a copy of the order on the food business operator; and

(b) in the case of an order under sub-section (1), affix a copy of the order at a conspicuous place on such premises used for the purposes of the food business,

and any person who knowingly contravenes such an order shall be guilty of an offence and be punishable with a fine which may extend to three lakh rupees.

(4) The concerned Food Safety Officer shall with the approval of the Designated Officer issue a certificate to the effect that the food business operator has taken sufficient measures justifying lifting of the prohibition order, within seven days of his being satisfied on an application made by the food business operator for such a certificate or the said officer shall--

(a) determine, as soon as is reasonably practicable and in any event within fourteen days, whether or not he is so satisfied; and

(b) if he determines that he is not so satisfied, give notice to the food business operator of the reasons for that determination.

(5) A prohibition order shall cease to have effect upon the court being satisfied, on an application made by the food business operator not less than six months after the prohibition order has been passed, that the food business operator has taken sufficient measures justifying the lifting of the prohibition order.

(6) The court shall give a direction on an application by the food business operator, if the court thinks it proper so to do having regard to all the circumstances of the case, including in particular, the conduct of the food business operator since the making of the order; but no such application shall be entertained if it is not made--

(a) within six months after the making of the prohibition order; or

(b) within three months after the making by the food business operator of a previous application for such a direction.

Explanation.--For the purpose of this section,--

(i) any reference above shall apply in relation to a manager of a food business as it applies in relation to the food business operator; and any reference to the food business operator of the business, or to the food business operator, shall be construed accordingly;

(ii) "manager", in relation to a food business, means any person who is entrusted by the food business operator with the day-to-day running of the business, or any part of the business.