Pranab Mukherjee calls for robust system to ensure quality food to consumers

Food safety faces a threat because of faster trans-boundary transfer of microbiological, chemical hazard as a result of globalisation

As growing globalisation poses a threat to India's food safety because of faster trans-boundary transfer of microbiological and chemical hazard, the country needs to put in place robust preventive and curative capacities to safeguard the health of Indian people, President Pranab Mukherjee said today.

Inaugurating a seminar on food safety--role of standard, the President said that economic cost of poor safety standard can lead to rejection or low grading of India's products in the international market. The seminar was also addressed by consumers affairs minister K.V. Thomas.

Thomas also released a  Indian standard (a set of guidelines) on street food vendors with respect to minimum check points which if followed will ensure safe and clean street food to consumers. 

The standards for street vendors as of now are voluntary and can be made mandatory for all street food vendors if the compliance is found to be unsatisfactory. The standards include specific utensils and cutting tools, vending location, hygiene practices, protection and serving of food and handling and disposal of food.

"The minimal standards for street food vendors will act as a bridge between the street food vendors and consumer of street food and assure that the street food conforms to specified standards and are hence safe," Thomas said. He said the standards will implemented in conjunction with local authorities and will ensure cost-effective method for food safety.

Apart from street vendors, the government has also put in place a set of three standards to ensure safe food for consumers apart from those for street food vendors.