Key Update

After the state principal secretary for food safety and drug administration reiterated the 2011 mandate on November 15, food safety officials in Tiruchy, Tamilnadu are preparing to step up inspections. The rule requires every food business operator — including single-cart vendors and those distributing free food — to hold a valid FSSAI licence and display it prominently on their cart.

Low Compliance Despite a Decade-Old Rule

Although the mandate has existed for more than a decade, officials admit that compliance in Tiruchy remains low. They said the rapid rise of street-food stalls and carts selling sweet corn, grilled chicken, momos, soups, and ice cream has outpaced their routine inspection capacity. Many of these carts are run by college students and young adults who promote their food through Instagram reels, vlogs, and WhatsApp groups to build a loyal customer base.

Licence Is Free and Easy to Obtain

As per a senior food safety official, cart vendors can obtain the FSSAI registration for free, either online or through e-seva centres. However, they must print the certificate and paste it clearly on their vending cart. While this street-food boom has transformed areas like KK Nagar, Ponnagar, Cantonment, and Srirangam into bustling food clusters, officials say hygiene practices remain inconsistent and pose risks to public health.

District Plans Mega Registration and Training Drive

To improve compliance, the district is preparing to conduct its second mega camp for street-food licensing and FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification). This year, officials aim to cover around 1,500 vendors, up from 550 last year. Data collection across the city is already in progress. Officials said they will promote the FoSTaC course — usually priced at ₹1,500 for hawkers — along with licensing so vendors understand safe food handling, water quality, utensil cleaning, and waste management. Officials said they are only reiterating long-standing rules and will take action against unlicensed units once the awareness drive ends.

Source: The New Indian Express