FSSAI decides to implement Gujarat's food safety model in other states

Street food in India - chaat items like pani puri to elaborate preparations such as dosas - is very popular. But when it comes to food safety then street food is perhaps the most unsafe in the country in the absence of proper vigil and regulations.

However, the state of Gujarat seems to be an exception as it has been following a street food safety model since 1979 and has been very successful at keeping a watchful eye as well as ensuring that regulations are followed by all concerned when it comes to street food.

It is in wake of this success that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has decided to take the Gujarat model to other states of the country by implementing it in a similar fashion.

The Gujarat Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) since 1979 when Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act, 1954, was in force had been following the street food safety model in 25 districts of the state. The state already has standard norms in place which in the near future are likely to be taken to other states of the country.

Speaking to F&B News, H G Koshia, commissioner, FDCA, Gujarat, informed, “We have the model to ensure street food safety since 1979 when PFA Act was in force. FDCA commissioner, joint commissioner (food), deputy commissioner (food), 25 deputy officers and 25 senior food safety officers along with municipal corporation officials are deployed in 25 districts of Gujarat to keep a check on street food.”

He added that after the implementation of FSS Act, 2006, “In one-and-a-half years we have organised more than 50 awareness programmes for street food vendors to ensure food safety. We have explained to them the standard pertaining to food safety in terms of the location of vending spots and hygienic food preparation practices to be followed.”

Recently S S Ghonkrokta, director, enforcement, FSSAI, talking on the sidelines of a seminar on enforcement of food safety organised as a precursor to the Vibrant Gujarat Summit said, “Gujarat has shown leadership in developing a collaborative model to ensure enforcement of quality amongst street food vendors. We are thinking of replicating the model in other major cities as well,"

Koshia added, “According to industry estimates, nearly 80 per cent of consumers in India access street food. To ensure the safety of these consumers all the states should follow the street food safety model. We are proud that Gujarat is setting an example for other states.”

FSSAI is planning to replicate the Gujarat model to ensure street food safety in eight cities including Bhubaneshwar, Hyderabad, Delhi, Lucknow, and Kolkata among others.

Source: Food and beverage news