FDA to implement hygiene guidelines at Juhu food stalls

The state food and drugs administration (FDA) has aimed to transform Juhu chowpatty food stalls to model food stalls in three months.

The state food and drugs administration (FDA) has aimed to transform Juhu chowpatty food stalls to model food stalls in three months. The hygiene-oriented programme includes usage of hand gloves, aprons and will consider quality of water supply.

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In a training organised by FDA and association of food scientists and technologists India (AFSTi) on Saturday, 48 vendors from Juhu and Girgaum beaches participated. “Practicing better hygiene measures would help us too. Using boiled or mineral water is our next step,” said Madan Singh, a chinese food stall owner, Juhu.

“Thirty students from SVT College and FDA officials will survey Juhu stalls. After the success of Juhu model, we will replicate it at other places,” said Suresh Deshmukh, assistant commissioner, Food, Greater Bombay. A sheet with hygiene guidelines was distributed to the vendors.

The vendors said some measures might lead to increased prices. “We were told to change wooden equipments to steel ones to avoid cockroach mess. This would lead to price hike,” said Subramanium Bala, fast food stall owner at Juhu beach.

“Many customers ask us to use mineral water and prepare food in front of them. They pay more for it,” said Mahinder Singh, a chaat vendor at Juhu.