Satyanarayan Mohapatra
A disturbing video of street vendors in Jharkhand kneading golgappa dough with their feet and admitting to using urea and Harpic (toilet cleaner) to "enhance the taste" has sent shockwaves across India, raising serious concerns about food safety and hygiene, especially in cities like Cuttack and Bhubaneswar where golgappa stalls are ubiquitous. This incident has brought to light the urgent need for stricter enforcement of food safety regulations and increased awareness among consumers about the potential health hazards of consuming contaminated street food.
The video, which went viral on social media, shows two men in Jharkand, Garhwa district using their bare feet to knead the dough, with packets of golgappa lying nearby. Upon investigation, the vendors confessed to adding urea fertilizer and Harpic to the dough, a shocking revelation that has sparked outrage and disgust among the public.
Food safety concerns in Odisha
This incident has particular relevance for Odisha, where golgappa is a beloved street snack enjoyed by people of all ages. With vendors operating on almost every street corner in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, ensuring food safety and hygiene is paramount.
The incident in Jharkhand raises questions about the practices of street vendors in Odisha and the effectiveness of food safety monitoring mechanisms in the state. Are consumers in Odisha unknowingly consuming contaminated golgappa? Are the authorities doing enough to ensure that street food vendors comply with food safety regulations?
The role of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
The FSSAI, the regulatory body responsible for ensuring food safety and hygiene in India, has a crucial role to play in addressing this issue. It is imperative that the FSSAI in Odisha take proactive steps to:
- Increase surveillance: Conduct regular inspections of street food stalls to ensure compliance with hygiene and safety standards.
- Enforce regulations: Take strict action against vendors found violating food safety norms, including fines, license revocation, and even legal prosecution.
- Raise awareness: Launch public awareness campaigns to educate consumers about food safety and hygiene, encouraging them to make informed choices about where they eat.
- Empower consumers: Provide consumers with a platform to report food safety violations and concerns, ensuring prompt action and redressal.
Consumer vigilance
While the authorities have a responsibility to ensure food safety, consumers also need to be vigilant and exercise caution when consuming street food. Here are some tips for consumers in Odisha:
- Choose: Opt for vendors who maintain clean and hygienic stalls and follow proper food handling practices.
- Observe: Pay attention to how the food is prepared and handled. Avoid stalls where hygiene is compromised.
- Question: Don't hesitate to ask vendors about the ingredients used and the hygiene practices followed.
- Report: If you witness any food safety violations, report them to the FSSAI or the local authorities.
This incident serves as a wake-up call for both consumers and authorities. Ensuring food safety is a shared responsibility, and it is only through collective efforts that we can safeguard public health and prevent such incidents from recurring.
DISCLAIMER:While this brief utilizes publicly available information, it should be noted that the author's interpretation and conclusions may not represent a comprehensive or definitive view of the topic.
