NEW DELHI, June 16 -- India's food safety regulator has directed all food businesses to immediately remove damaged and non-compliant cutting tools from kitchens and processing units, tightening enforcement of existing hygiene norms amid concerns over contamination risks.

In an advisory dated 15 June, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said knives, blades and other food-contact equipment that are rusted, chipped or otherwise damaged must be replaced without delay, reinforcing standards already mandatory under law.

The advisory cited the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.

"Schedule 4 of the aforesaid Regulations requires that equipment, utensils and food-cont...