New Delhi, Aug. 10 -- Looking to open a restaurant? You may soon have to specify if you plan to serve vegetarian or non-vegetarian dishes.

Eateries must declare their menu type while applying for registration or renewal of licence, and non-vegetarian outlets must specify if they plan to sell beef or pork, a top panel at the national food safety regulator said. Also on the cards: A national list of all vegetarian and non-vegetarian restaurants.

"The move aims to respect cultural dietary practices while ensuring consumers have clear information about the food they are purchasing or eating at the restaurants," an official aware of the matter said. The proposal was taken up after a suggestion from the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure tran...