100 Food Streets

April 22, 2023

The Union Health Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, has launched a unique initiative to develop 100 food streets in 100 districts across the country. This pilot project aims to promote safe and healthy practices to reduce food-borne illnesses and improve overall health outcomes for citizens. The initiative also aims to boost the economy, create local employment opportunities, and enhance tourism potential.

Implementation and Financial Assistance

The food streets initiative will be implemented through the National Health Mission (NHM) in convergence with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and with technical support from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Under the National Health Mission (NHM), States and Union Territories in India will receive financial aid of ₹1 crore for each food street or district. The ratio of financial assistance will be either 60:40 or 90:10, with the requirement that the food streets follow FSSAI guidelines for standard branding. The FSSAI will oversee the implementation of the project and provide technical support. This ensures that the food streets maintain the highest standards of hygiene and safety.

Aim and Benefits of the Initiative

The aim of the food streets initiative is to promote safe and healthy practices to reduce food-borne illnesses and improve overall health outcomes. By providing easy access to safe and hygienic food, the initiative aims to encourage citizens to make healthier food choices. In addition to improving public health, the initiative also has several other benefits. It will boost the economy by creating local employment opportunities and enhancing tourism potential. Moreover, it will improve the hygiene credibility of local food businesses, thereby promoting the “eat right campaign” and food safety.

Other Initiatives Associated with the Project

Apart from financial assistance, the food streets initiative also includes other important initiatives. The Health Ministry has directed Municipal Corporations and District Collectors to lead the effort in aligning financial resources and physical infrastructure to facilitate the project’s smooth implementation. Moreover, several activities such as training of food handlers, independent third-party audits, certification of Eat Right Street Food Hubs, and establishing a standard protocol for modernizing food streets will be undertaken. These measures will improve the safety and hygiene standards of the food streets. Additionally, training of food handlers, independent third-party audits, certification of Eat Right Street Food Hubs, and developing a standard procedure for modernization of food streets will be undertaken as part of the initiative. This will further enhance the safety and hygiene standards of the food streets.

Training Programmes for Street Vendors

States and Union Territories have the opportunity to conduct training programmes for street vendors on food safety, maintenance of hygiene, and waste disposal. This will help street vendors to adopt safe and hygienic practices in their food businesses, thereby contributing to the overall success of the food streets initiative.

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