Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to waive the Rs 100 registration fee for street food vendors. Nadda emphasized the importance of encouraging registrations among vendors to promote food safety and increase their business opportunities. This decision was announced during a training and awareness program for approximately 1,350 street food vendors, conducted by FSSAI at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The waiver aims to alleviate the financial burden on vendors and incentivize more of them to comply with food safety regulations.
In addition to waiving the registration fee, FSSAI is providing participating vendors with certificates and ‘Street Safe’ rapid testing kits. Nadda highlighted the significance of applying the training in daily operations to ensure the safety of traditional street food culture. He stressed that adhering to safe practices and cleanliness would not only benefit public health but also help vendors grow their businesses. The training program underscores the government’s commitment to supporting street food vendors while ensuring the availability of safe food for consumers.
Nadda also introduced several initiatives aimed at further supporting street food vendors. He launched a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Street Food Vendors, outlining essential hygiene and safety practices. Furthermore, a dedicated portal for street food vendors was inaugurated, providing a platform for sharing success stories and accessing resources on food safety. Nadda encouraged vendors to take advantage of the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM-SVANidhi) program to further enhance their businesses. The minister also reiterated the Prime Minister’s vision of establishing 100 street food hubs across various districts in the country.
During the event, Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel emphasized the cultural importance of street food in India and the need for maintaining hygiene standards. Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra announced FSSAI’s plan to train one lakh street food vendors in the coming year through its Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) program. This initiative is part of FSSAI’s ongoing efforts to enhance food safety nationwide, building on the successful training of over 18 lakh food handlers since 2017. National Association of Street Vendors India (NASVI) founder Arbind Singh praised FSSAI’s efforts but urged the regulator to expand such training programs nationwide.