Ganesh Bhel and Chaat Products Pvt Ltd uses mineral water to make pani puris and has ISO certification.
While the incident of a pani puri vendor near Shaniwarwada using toilet water for making the popular snack has shocked Puneites, the pani puri and bhelwalas in the city should take a cue from the popular joint, Ganesh Bhel and Chaat Products Pvt Ltd. Ganesh Bhel, which is said to be the first bhel shop in country to have received ISO certification for manufacturing and packing their product, uses mineral water to prepare pani puris.
Ganesh Bhel has five outlets in the city, two of which are franchisees. While they sell a plate of pani puris for Rs20, a bhel costs Rs30.
Director Rupesh Gudmewar said, “We use mineral water to make pani puris absolutely hygienic. In fact, we have a tie-up with Bisleri. A 20 litre pet bottle of Bisleri costs Rs60 and we use 2 pet bottles at each branch every day. In short, we use 12 to 15 pet bottles every day. Since we buy mineral water in bulk, it is cost effective. My father Ramesh Gudmewar, who started Ganesh Bhel, made it a point to maintain hygiene along with taste.’’
Talking about the unhygienic water being used by roadside vendors, director Dinesh Gudmewar says, “Along with the vendors, it is also customers’ responsibility to check whether the food items that are being served are hygienic or not. Unfortunately, most of the roadside vendors don’t know that they are playing with the customers’ health by using dirty water in their food items. While most of the shops selling bhels have no issues regarding water, the roadside thelawalas don’t have many options. They don’t have any facilities from where they can get water. Hence, it is up to the customers to take precautions while eating roadside food.’’
Ramesh Gudmewar started Ganesh Bhel in 1978 with just Rs10 as capital. Gudmewar started selling bhel on a handcart at Ganeshnagar opposite Karnataka High School. In 1996, he started selling bhel at a small shop in Karvenagar with his wife Chaya. Later, his sons Rupesh and Dinesh expanded it further.
Ganesh Bhel is also exporting bhel and pani puri to Singapore, Dubai and the US.
“We applied for ISO certification in August 2010 and got it in 2011. We have been trained for ISO certification from consultant Gajanan Gurav. We have installed CCTV cameras at all our outlets through which we can keep a watch on the stocks at all branches. We have also set up automated software at all branches,’’ said Dinesh.
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