Street food vendor sets hygiene benchmark

His low income worries his wife, peers make fun of him... but that does not deter Dilip Kumar's passion to serve healthy and hygienic food to his customers


31-year-old Dilip Kumar -Nisha Samant

Kumar makes sure that fruits and other edible stuff at his stall are covered at all times -Nisha Samant

Even as per the guidelines of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the food vendors should stick to basic hygiene standards
Donning an apron and a cap with gloves in his hands, Dilip Kumar (31), who sells juice and bhelpuri, an Indian snack, near Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Karol Bagh, cannot be dismissed as just another street vendor.
A cleanliness freak, Kumar has set a high benchmark for ensuring the safety of street food he sells by using only mineral water for his preparations, apart from using good quality salt and spices. Unlike his peers, he makes sure that fruits and all other edible stuff at his stall are covered at all times. Moreover, he even uses disposable glasses to serve juice to maintain food safety standards.
"I understand the importance of hygiene because I have studied till class 12th, but I had to discontinue my education due to lack of resources,” shares Kumar. Oftentimes, sticking to safety standards reduces the profit margins for Kumar but that does not deter his spirits.
His low income often worries his wife. One of Kumar's two sons is mentally challenged and medical bills add on to family's monthly expenses. "Sometimes my wife gets angry and says that no matter how much I stick to hygiene standards, I would not be able to take care of the family's needs. I try to calm her down saying that I would prove myself one day,” he confides with a smile.
Even the fellow vendors in the area make fun of Kumar when they see him following the standards so seriously. But Kumar explains why he chooses to ignore such people, “The food vendors laughing at me will eventually realise that sticking to food safety standards is good not just for the customers, but also for the vendors as it would restore the confidence in costumers and increase our business.”
Furthermore, Kumar further explains that even as per the guidelines of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) , the vendors should stick to basic hygiene standards – wearing gloves and caps, washing hands before cooking, not picking their noses and not scratching their head or ears.
“But most of the vendors are not aware of the norms, and even those who are aware do not follow the rules,” mentions Kumar.
Kumar has also been invited to give a speech on food safety at National Association of Street Vendors of India's (NASVI) event, for adhering to the FSSAI standards.
But it is surprising that not only the street vendors, but even the customers have often made fun of Kumar for following rules so seriously. “Some customers have even asked me why am I wearing gloves. I tried explaining to them that I was just trying to serve healthy food to them. But it is amusing when the same people tell me – Ye akela banda pagal hogaya hai, gloves pehan ke pata nahi kya saabit Karna chahta hai? (This guy has gone crazy. God knows what does he want to prove by wearing gloves.)” he shares.
However, one of his customers, Ajay Rana who works with pharmaceutical major, Ranbaxy got impressed with Kumar's dedication and passion and now he is a regular customer. "As a customer we want fresh and hygienic street food. I prefer coming to him because he gives fresh juice and while preparing lemon juice he never uses spoiled lemon. I often pat his back for the good work,” he says.
Another regular customer, Manish, points out, “Many doctors, nurses, patients attendants and others prefer his juice and bhelpoori .His rates are also reasonable. It's very rare that we get to eat street food that is both hygienic and reasonable.”
Despite giving so much importance to cleanliness and hygiene, Kumar has no permanent place to set up his stall."I have all the legal papers where the court has mentioned that until the new vendor committee is formed, I should not be displaced. Despite that I am often made fun of when I run with my cart to escape from the MCD van. They say-- Achhe kaam karane wale ke sath yahi hota hai' (Those who do good all the time, end up like this).” he confesses.
"My only request to authorities is that if some one wants to do a good work, they should encourage them because conducive and stable environment is important for us to earn our livelihood,” he adds.
Even if people do not acknowledge his efforts, it goes without saying that street vendors like Kumar serve as an inspiration for other vendors and make sure that street food lovers can enjoy hygienic street food.