HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, July 24: In a pioneering move, Assam is all set to witness the creation of four healthy food streets as part of a pilot project initiated by the ministry of Health in collaboration with the ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Following suit, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra will also welcome four such nutritious and hygienic food streets each.
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Apart from Assam, one healthy food street will also be introduced in each of the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
The primary objective of this project is to promote safe and healthy practices, reducing the prevalence of food-borne illnesses and enhancing overall health outcomes. Considered as a pilot project, this initiative aims to set an exemplary standard for food businesses.
Each food street will receive financial assistance of Rs 1 crore. The establishment of these food streets is expected to create local employment opportunities, boost tourism potential, and drive economic growth in the respective regions.
The implementation of this ambitious project will be carried out through the National Health Mission (NHM) in collaboration with the ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and with technical support from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
As part of the broader vision, a total of 100 such food streets are planned to be established across 100 districts nationwide. Financial assistance will be provided under the NHM with a ratio of 60:40 or 90:10, under the condition that the branding of these food streets adheres to FSSAI guidelines.
The project will include training programs for food handlers, independent third-party audits, and certification of ‘Eat Right Street Food Hubs’. Additionally, a standardised procedure for the modernisation of food streets will be developed.
States and Union Territories are also encouraged to conduct training programs for street vendors to ensure food safety, hygiene maintenance, and proper waste disposal practices
