BIS standards for street food ready: minister

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has come out with the basic standards that street food vendors should follow in order to ensure food safety as an increasing number of people are now turning to the more affordable street food.

Disclosing this in Mumbai on Monday, union minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution, Prof K V Thomas said street food has seen phenomenal growth recently.

Readily accessible and affordable to urban populations, street food caters to large segments of workers and their families as well as office-goers in the cities. This sector is also a source of livelihood for a large number of people.

He said the standard developed by BIS has immense potential to safeguard public health while promoting confidence of the consumer over the entire spectrum of food industry.

The minister was addressing a national seminar on `Food Safety – Role of Standards', organised to create awareness and provide insight into the concept of food safety.

While street food is a popular option because it is convenient and cheaper, it is also equally unsafe in hygiene, the minister said.