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New Delhi, July 21, 2024 – In a significant move to uplift the standards of street food across the nation, Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda chaired a comprehensive training and awareness program for 1,000 street food vendors at Vigyan Bhawan today. The event, organized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), also saw the presence of Smt. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare.
Highlighting the cultural importance of street food in India, Shri Nadda announced the waiver of the Rs. 100 registration fee for street food vendors to promote greater participation and compliance. “To encourage vendors and promote more and more registrations, FSSAI would waive off the Rs. 100 registration fee for the street food vendors,” he stated.
In an effort to enhance food safety, Shri Nadda directed that the innovative ‘Street Safe’ Rapid Testing Kit be provided to all vendors attending the Food Safety and Certification (FoSTaC) training sessions. This kit aims to ensure that street food vendors across the country use safe food. Emphasizing the practical application of the training, he said, “It is my firm belief that if vendors apply safe practices and cleanliness, they will also see growth in their businesses.”
Shri Nadda also inaugurated a dedicated portal for street food vendors (https://sfv.fssai.gov.in/), providing them a platform to share success stories and access resources on food safety. Additionally, he launched a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for street food vendors, outlining critical guidelines for maintaining hygiene and safety in food preparation.
The event included testimonials from trained vendors, showcasing the transformative impact of the training program on their practices and business. Participants were educated on essential topics such as personal hygiene, food handling, cooking practices, and waste management, along with a detailed overview of the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Smt. Anupriya Patel, in her address, underscored the intrinsic value of street food to India’s culture and identity. “Street food is not just any meal but a tradition for Indian people. Be it basket chaat in Lucknow or kulhad chai in Varanasi, street food is linked to the identity of Indian cities,” she said. She also stressed the importance of maintaining hygiene and regular testing to ensure a safe street food ecosystem.
The program is part of a broader initiative by FSSAI to train one lakh street food vendors in the next year through its FoSTaC program. This initiative aims to enhance food safety standards and public health, building on the successful training of over 18 lakh food handlers since 2017.
The Union Health Minister and other dignitaries also visited the “Food Safety on Wheels” vehicle, which is equipped to test food items like oil and milk on the go. Shri Apurva Chandra, Union Health Secretary, highlighted the global popularity of Indian street food and the critical role of food safety in enhancing business prospects for vendors.
The one-day training program covered a wide range of topics, including personal hygiene, food handling, cooking practices, and waste management. Vendors took a pledge to maintain cleanliness in their operations and provide safe food to all consumers.
The event marks a significant step in FSSAI’s ongoing efforts to enhance food safety across the nation, reinforcing the commitment of the government to support and empower street food vendors.
