Guwahati: In a crucial and ground-breaking effort, the Union Health Ministry has asked states and union territories to create 100 food streets in 100 districts across the nation in partnership with the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.
This programme is being implemented as a pilot project to serve as a model for other streets of this nature to emerge across the nation, assuring clean and safe culinary practises.
This project wants to promote safe and healthy eating practises among local residents and businesses in order to decrease foodborne illnesses and improve overall health outcomes.
In a letter to states, Shri Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary and Shri Manoj Joshi, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs Secretary highlighted that “Easy access to safe and hygienic food is vital for the good health of citizens. Safe food practices not only promote “eat right campaign” and food safety but will improve hygiene credibility of local food businesses, boost local employment, tourism and in turn, economy. It also leads to a cleaner and greener environment.”
There are street cuisines available all-around India and they have historically been an important component of Indian civilization. They stand for the extensive regional culinary tradition. In addition to providing millions of people with affordable daily meals, street food also supports the tourism industry by giving a big number of people direct work.
The National Health Mission (NHM) in coordination with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs will carry out this innovative programme with technical assistance from the FSSAI.
The financial assistance for the initiative in the form of Rs 1 crore per food street/district will be given to fill up critical gaps. 100 such food streets will be opened up in 100 districts across the country. This assistance will be provided under NHM in the ratio of 60:40 or 90:10 with the condition that standard branding of these food streets will be done as per FSSAI guidelines.
Municipal Corporations/Development Authorities/ District Collectors at the state level will take major initiatives to ensure convergence in terms of financial resources and physical infrastructure. Various other initiatives such as training of food handlers, independent third-party audits, and certification of Eat Right Street Food Hubs ‘SOP for Modernisation of Food Streets’, have been taken to enhance food safety standards. Schemes like “Support to Urban Street Vendors (SUSV)”, a component of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAYNULM), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs have also been taken up.