Your 'pani puri' might be germ free

There is good news for street food lovers. Now, the pani they dunk their puri into or the vada stuffed in the pav will hopefully be germ free.

The state’s Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) have announced an initiative to induce hygienic practices among street food vendors. The initiative, which will begin in Mumbai and then move to Pune, will will train street food vendors on hygienic and clean ways of preparing and serving food. 

A meeting to discuss the training module will be held in Mumbai on June 18. “Street food is famous but it has been noticed that the foodstuff they serve is low on hygiene. So if these hawkers adopt good and hygienic practices, the masses will benefit,” said Seema Vyas, the state food safety commissioner and commissioner, FDA.

The department plans to rope in students to make the campaign a success. In Mumbai FDA will join hands with Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women’s University (SNDT) whereas in Pune, the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA) has expressed its willingness to be associated with the project. The first training session will be attended by a celebrity chef.

The initiative comes in the backdrop of the new Food Safety and Standards Acts and Rules to be implemented in the country this year, which make it mandatory for street vendors to get a license through registration.