Appoint citizens as ‘food ombudsmen’
Selling street food and sharing home-cooked meals have always been integral parts of Indian tradition. Historically, enjoying street food from small eateries was naturally rooted in trust and love. However, times are changing. Today, the focus has shifted toward making quick profits, serving global cuisines, and delivering food as fast as possible. This shift has raised serious concerns regarding hygiene, safety, quality, and accountability. With rising cases of food poisoning and unfair practices, we can no longer rely on trust alone; authorised government agencies need to step in. While FSSAI licenses are mandatory for food sellers, the street food industry is growing too fast for food inspection teams to manage it alone. To fix this, we need combined effort. This includes installing billboards that clearly state food safety rules and setting up local labs to quickly test food samples. Furthermore, appointing citizens as ‘food ombudsmen’ and involving village panchayats and city wards to monitor local vendors will ensure strong community oversight. Finally, educating both buyers and sellers about food safety will significantly increase public awareness. It is a massive task, but strict, visible enforcement will protect people much better than laws that exist only on paper. The fear of claws is more effective than a furnace of laws.
Dr Rakesh Mohan Sharma
Food safety under strain
The lax and often indifferent approach of the municipal corporation (MC) in regulating roadside eateries has led to the unchecked mushrooming of ready-to-eat food outlets, ranging from small carts to full-fledged “meals on wheels” operated through trucks and vans stationed at various vantage points across the city. Since these carts and vans are not registered with the MC and frequently change locations, food safety standards and hygiene protocols are rarely adhered to, compromising public health. Health authorities appear to be in collusion with some of these mobile food units, and often limit their action to issuing warnings or challans, allowing substandard food to be served to citizens with impunity. With no proper data on these unregistered food joints, health officials are unable to effectively monitor the quality of food being served, putting lives at risk. One can also observe such stalls and kiosks — usually serving non-vegetarian food — operating near liquor outlets, openly serving substandard food in full view of the police and the civic administration. It is the responsibility of the MC to remove such illegal eateries by impounding makeshift carts and vans that endanger public safety. Similarly, the police and civil administration must act against roadside vendors supplying food and alcohol directly to occupants of vehicles, creating traffic hazards. Health authorities, in coordination with civic and police agencies, must adopt a proactive approach to enforce food safety norms, including against unregistered and habitual violators, in order to safeguard the lives and well-being of citizens.
Anil Vinayak
Regular, sincere inspections can help
The core reason behind unhygienic food being available in markets is simple: the government department concerned does not conduct regular inspections. There is no fear among people who run food carts, small shops or big restaurants. Sadly, inspections take place only during festivals, and are conducted like a forced activity. Once these inspections take place, press notes are crafted and submitted to different publications with pictures. Unfortunately, most publications carry their press notes as they come without raising questions as to why these don’t take place throughout the year. When inspections are conducted throughout the year and without prior notices, fear among food producers will surely sprout, because of which they will ensure much-needed hygiene. As citizens, we hope that the Health and Food Safety departments re-consider the approach to ensuring safe food at roadside stalls, as this can save citizens from many health problems.
Rameshinder Singh Sandhu
Award most hygienic vendors in city
Residents of Amritsar have always been passionate “foodies”, relishing cuisine at high-end hotels as well as wayside dhabas, hand-pulled carts and small eateries. Connoisseurs know where to find the best fish, chicken, ‘paneer tikka’, ‘Ambarsaree kulcha’, and ‘naan’ in the city, to name a few. Having been born and brought up in Amritsar, I can vouch that the flavours offered by makeshift vendors often match those served in larger hotels. In fact, at times, big hotels — in keeping with international standards of sophistication — tend to dilute the natural aroma and flavours of the city. Moreover, exorbitant prices at these establishments often do not align with the preferences of ‘Ambarsaree’ cuisine lovers. As a result, most local food enthusiasts and tourists rely on affordable roadside vendors. Cheap does not necessarily mean a compromise on health and hygiene. As the saying goes, “if you ensure quality, quantity follows automatically”, which often explains the success of ‘rehri’ markets. Another reason for the popularity of these is that hand-pulled carts are easy to set up and move from one place to another, making these a convenient and cost-effective means of livelihood for many. Looking at these simple stalls and their owners, it is difficult to expect strict compliance with municipal rules, as many are primarily struggling for their right to earn a living. Instead of casting suspicion on such practices, the government and its Health Department should carry out periodic monitoring of quality standards. Voluntary public reviews, vlogs, and visitor feedback should be encouraged and shared, while suggestions from younger generations can also be taken into account. Like other professions, the best vendors could be recognised and rewarded. Ultimately, it requires the will of the government and sincerity from all stakeholders to ensure balance. This is a collective responsibility of both citizens and authorities to oversee such vendors and small eateries. After all, all citizens have the right to earn and spend according to their means. Therefore, it is better to adopt collective methods that ensure both public health standards for consumers and livelihood opportunities for small entrepreneurs.
Madhu Bhaskar
Adulteration goes unchecked
Recently, ‘genuine’ milk vendors staged a protest by pouring milk in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. They were demanding strict action against producers of synthetic and adulterated milk and its by-products. It is well known that May and June are lean months for milk production, during which producers of synthetic milk often make significant gains. It is also widely acknowledged that several government departments have been reduced to a state of near dysfunction, and the Health and Food Safety departments are no exception. The only visible activity from these departments is usually around the Diwali season, when vernacular newspapers report raids on adulteration, particularly of milk products. During 1966–67, when Dharma Vira was Governor of Punjab, regular raids were conducted on adulterators, black-marketeers and hoarders, leading to a significant curb on such malpractices. In contrast, over the past several decades, hand-pulled carts, kiosks and mechanised food vehicles have occupied not only footpaths but also large portions of major roads. These vendors of ready-to-eat food, fruits and vegetables often enjoy political patronage, and the authorities concerned are rarely seen inspecting their goods. In areas such as Ranjit Avenue — one of the city’s most developed colonies — hand-pulled carts have even been allotted designated spaces to operate. While people invest crores to open food outlets in such localities, ‘unauthorised’ cart vendors are provided space for nominal costs. The administration appears ineffective, with little sign of prioritising public health or restoring order. If the current situation continues, it is not far-fetched to imagine a time when even spurious and adulterated products are declared beneficial by some godman, and people rush to buy these in large numbers.
Abhiraj Singh Bajwa
Intent of inspection staff counts
As the saying goes, you can get a meal in Amritsar ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 5,000, depending on an individual’s pocket capacity. As far as the mushrooming of hand-pulled carts and small eateries is concerned, it is a double-edged weapon. On one hand, it takes care of the appetite of the lower strata of society, while on the other, it is always under scanner for hygiene and the quality of food it serves to the needy. The Health Department has the means to keep a check on the quality of food provided by these hand-pulled carts and small eateries. But what ultimately counts is the intent and attitude of the medical staff deputed to carry out inspections at these eateries to ensure the bare minimum standards of hygiene and quality.
Brig Harcharan Singh
Duty of authorities to ensure hygiene
It is the moral duty and responsibility of the authorities concerned to strictly monitor the quality and hygiene of ready-to-eat food being served in the state on hand-pulled carts and small eateries. Food testing vans should always be operational to conduct on-the-spot quality and hygiene testing. In case residents notice poor hygiene, suspected adulteration or unsafe food, complaints must be registered at state consumer helpline 1800-300-11-007.
MK Sharma
Educate vendors on safety
The rapid growth of hand-pulled carts and small eateries reflects a positive trend in self-employment and small-scale entrepreneurship. These ventures provide livelihood opportunities to many families, and offer affordable food to the public. However, along with employment generation, food safety and health security must remain a priority.
Stricter monitoring of food served by these is needed. Regular inspections, hygiene training, mandatory food licences, clean water usage, and periodic quality testing should be ensured. Street vendors should be educated about safe cooking practices, proper storage, and the dangers of adulteration. At the same time, consumers must remain aware, and report unhygienic practices. Encouraging safe and quality food systems will protect public health while supporting honest small entrepreneurs. Economic growth should go hand in hand with health security and the right to clean, nutritious food.
Dr Astha
Violators should face strict action
Hand-pulled carts and small roadside eateries are an inseparable part of the cultural flavour of the Indian subcontinent. They can be seen in every city and town — big or small. In many places, lively food streets come alive late into the night, drawing huge crowds of people eager to enjoy their favourite snacks and meals. There is no denying that these food stalls cater to the eating habits of a vast section of society. One major reason for their popularity is that the food they offer is tasty, inexpensive and affordable for the common man. For countless people, these eateries are not merely a choice but a necessity. However, it is also a harsh reality that food at many such places is prepared with little attention to quality, hygiene and cleanliness. Since these eateries operate in the open, negligence can easily creep in. Contaminated water, unhygienic dishwashing areas, uncovered food items, flies and open drains nearby are common sights. Such conditions can lead to serious gastrointestinal diseases and other health problems. Therefore, these eateries must be monitored regularly by the health authorities. Owners found violating hygiene standards should face strict action. Unfortunately, it is often observed that food inspections become more active only during the festive season, whereas maintaining food safety should be a year-round responsibility. At the same time, one must admit that, with the existing staff and resources, it is difficult for the Health Department to inspect and monitor the countless roadside eateries spread across a city. A much stronger and dedicated food safety mechanism is required to bring these establishments up to acceptable standards of cleanliness and hygiene. Though challenging, this task is essential for public safety and well-being. Regular campaigns about health and hygiene should be carried for eatery owners. Ultimately, the responsibility does not rest with the authorities alone. Food vendors must ensure that they prepare and serve clean, safe and healthy food. Equally, the public must remain alert and conscious about hygiene while choosing where to eat. Public health cannot be compromised, and there can be no substitute for clean and hygienic food.
Dr Akashdeep Singh
Glaring negligence of Health Dept
The Health Department in Amritsar appears to have confined itself largely to observing occasions such as Malaria Day and Cancer Day. For instance, although the government has enacted laws prohibiting smoking in public places, people can still be seen openly smoking outside shops and establishments without any fear of action. Similarly, food prepared in unhygienic conditions — using stale oil, contaminated sauces and unclean surroundings — is being served across the city, yet the Health Department seems to pay little attention to it. This lack of hygiene is visible in both small and large eateries. In many well-known establishments, kitchen conditions are poor and workers often fail to maintain basic cleanliness, thereby putting public health at risk. The Health Department bears direct responsibility for ensuring that such standards are enforced. Ironically, when citizens or business owners seek permissions or
approvals from the department, strictness and procedural rigidity are fully exercised. Even the renewal of licences that have existed for years often involves unnecessary hurdles in the name of regulations. Perhaps this is because such matters
require official signatures and approvals, whereas public welfare measures do not receive the same urgency
or attention.
Kulwinder Singh Arora
Serious public health concern
Street food is popular not only in India, but across many countries around the world. In cities across Punjab, especially Amritsar, roadside stalls and hand-pulled carts (‘rehris’) selling ‘kulchas’, ‘chole-bhature’, ‘samosas’ and other ready-to-eat items are a common sight. These foods are widely enjoyed because they are tasty and affordable. However, very few people are aware of the conditions in which they are prepared. Those who have witnessed the preparation process often point out that many such items are cooked and stored in highly unhygienic environments. In several cases, there appears to be little monitoring or regular health inspection by the authorities concerned. Many videos showing food being prepared under unhygienic conditions have also surfaced on social media from time to time. This raises serious concerns about public health and food safety. There is an urgent need for greater awareness among consumers, along with stricter hygiene checks and effective regulations to ensure that the food being served to the public is safe and clean.
BD Sharma
What’s the Issue
The growing number of hand-pulled food carts and small eateries serving ready-to-eat meals has raised concerns about food quality and hygiene standards. Many citizens question whether the government — especially the Health Department — has the capacity to effectively monitor vendors and ensure that safe, quality food is being served to the public.
QUESTION for next week How prepared is Amritsar for tourists and residents amid a rising and prolonged heatwave, given the lack of immediate relief measures and inadequate availability of safe drinking water outdoors? Suggestions in not more than 150 words can be sent to amritsardesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (May 28)