Nidan facilitates FSSAI certification to food vendors in Delhi

Sixty street food vendors of Madanpur Khadar, Delhi-76, received certificates issued by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Certificates were given to street vendors by Executive Director of Nidan Mr. Arbind Singh. Before distributing certificates, he made them understand the importance of registration under Food Safety Act (FSA) 2006. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which consolidates various acts & orders that have hitherto handled food related issues in various Ministries and Departments. FSSAI has been created for laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

Arbind Singh also explained them why it is important to maintain food safety and hygiene practices. Besides legal implications, it is very important to be a part of mainstream as everybody wants to consume what is safe. Citing an example, Arbind Singh said — a single strand of hair in a chowmein plate can ruin relationship with 100 of customers. So, it’s high time you took care of hygiene. He asked these vendors to wear hair caps, aprons and gloves. Arbind Singh further explained that this practice will help them maintain hygiene, which in turn will attract greater number of customers. Greater number of satisfied customers will certainly enhance their income. He cited few examples to make them understand better.

He said that the Act also aims to establish a single reference point for all matters relating to food safety and standards, by moving from multi- level, multi- departmental control to a single line of command. To this effect, the Act establishes an independent statutory Authority – the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India with head office at Delhi. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the State Food Safety Authorities shall enforce various provisions of the Act.

Nidan staff distributed food safety kits to all vendors who promised to maintain hygiene. Vendors were enthusiastic and happy to be a part of regulation.