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The Government of India, through the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has undertaken robust steps to elevate food safety standards across the country, particularly focusing on street food, which is a significant part of the nation’s culinary culture. These measures include rigorous licensing enforcement, strict hygiene standards, and regular surveillance and inspections of food businesses to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
Under the mandate of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, all Food Business Operators (FBOs) are required to obtain licenses or registrations and adhere to rigorous sanitary and hygienic norms. FSSAI conducts annual inspections of registered petty food manufacturers and enforces penalties on non-compliant operators, thus assuring safe and wholesome food for consumers.
The authority has conducted extensive inspections nationwide over the past three years, with varied activity across states reflecting a determined approach to monitoring and enforcement. For instance, states like Kerala and Uttar Pradesh witnessed over 12,000 and 12,900 inspections respectively in the fiscal year 2024-25, indicating heightened vigilance.
To further bolster food safety, FSSAI launched the Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) program in 2017, which has successfully trained over 3 lakh street food vendors in safe food handling practices. Complementing this, the ‘Eat Right India’ movement promotes a transformative food ecosystem by awarding certifications to establishments that meet food safety and hygiene standards.
Specifically targeting street food vendors, FSSAI has certified 405 Eat Right Street Food Hubs that ensure food safety and hygiene in popular food streets through education, visibility, and consumer trust-building initiatives.
In a pioneering step, FSSAI has introduced 305 Mobile Food Testing Laboratories (MFTLs) across 35 states and Union Territories. These labs provide on-the-spot testing of food commodities, conduct training for food operators, and spread awareness among vendors, schools, and the public, ensuring food safety reaches even the remotest corners of the country.
Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, highlighted these initiatives in a Lok Sabha written reply, reaffirming the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health through food safety reforms.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information provided by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Government of India as of August 8, 2025. All statistics and data are subject to change as new information becomes available. Readers are advised to verify details from official sources when making decisions related to food safety.
