The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) are all set to cast aside fears associated with street food by implementing a project promoting safety and hygiene among the vendors.
In a bid to ensure that good and hygienic food is served at street food stalls, the BMC and FDA project will train vendors in 50 khau gullies (food lanes) about practicing safe habits and hygiene.
Elaborating on the project, additional municipal commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar said, “During the training, vendors will be imparted knowledge training about cooking, storing and handling of food. We have selected a team of sanitary inspectors, doctors, and deputy health officers for this project. The BMC is planning to hold a safe street food festival after the training is over.”
According to civic officials, about 25 to 30 per cent of Mumbaikars, including a huge number of commuters, professionals, workers etc. have at least one meal of the day on the streets. However, they are not sure whether the food served on roadside stalls is hygienic and healthy.
Civic officials hope to see a reduction in ailments like jaundice, gastroenteritis, typhoid, amoebosis etc in the city after the implementation of this project.
“Several diseases spread due to consumption of unhygienic and unhealthy food. If vendors are trained regarding food safety habits, people can expect to get good food from them,” said civic executive health officer Dr Arun Bamne.