GURGAON: With mobile food trucks mushrooming across the city, the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon has come up with a draft policy to regulate the space, location, timings and food standards to be followed by the food truck operators.
According to MCG officials, the draft policy will be discussed in the House meeting soon. "All businesses or community groups that sell food must comply with food laws, including the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and are legally responsible to ensure that food sold or prepared for sale is safe to eat and free from contamination," said a senior MCG official.
After the policy is framed, the MCG will designate the space where the vans can be parked. The timing for operation of mobile food establishments will be determined by the municipal commissioner. All these establishments will also be required to register with MCG and obtain a license from it. They will also need a food certificate issued by the Gurgaon civil surgeon, a fire safety certificate and a no objection certificate (NOC) from the police department.
The authorities said the popularity of these food trucks has increased over the past few months, but right now there are no checks and balances to regulate them.
"While we have a policy for eateries and restaurants, there is no policy for food trucks as it is a recent phenomenon in Gurgaon," the official said.
The food trucks can be seen near many office complexes and market areas. Since there is no policy right now, we are not able to ensure that hygiene standards are maintained by these vans. Also, since these vans are mobile, it is difficult to keep track of them as they keep changing places," he added.
Officials said the civic body was also planning to make it mandatory to register temporary food establishments. A temporary food establishment is one that operates for less than 14 consecutive days for a single event or celebration. This will also include promotional sampling activities such as giveaways at exhibitions, train stations and trade shows.
According to MCG officials, the draft policy will be discussed in the House meeting soon. "All businesses or community groups that sell food must comply with food laws, including the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and are legally responsible to ensure that food sold or prepared for sale is safe to eat and free from contamination," said a senior MCG official.
After the policy is framed, the MCG will designate the space where the vans can be parked. The timing for operation of mobile food establishments will be determined by the municipal commissioner. All these establishments will also be required to register with MCG and obtain a license from it. They will also need a food certificate issued by the Gurgaon civil surgeon, a fire safety certificate and a no objection certificate (NOC) from the police department.
The authorities said the popularity of these food trucks has increased over the past few months, but right now there are no checks and balances to regulate them.
"While we have a policy for eateries and restaurants, there is no policy for food trucks as it is a recent phenomenon in Gurgaon," the official said.
The food trucks can be seen near many office complexes and market areas. Since there is no policy right now, we are not able to ensure that hygiene standards are maintained by these vans. Also, since these vans are mobile, it is difficult to keep track of them as they keep changing places," he added.
Officials said the civic body was also planning to make it mandatory to register temporary food establishments. A temporary food establishment is one that operates for less than 14 consecutive days for a single event or celebration. This will also include promotional sampling activities such as giveaways at exhibitions, train stations and trade shows.
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