Food vendors, kirana shops to face action for unhygienic premises

NEW DELHI: Punitive action may soon be taken against food vendors if they do not maintain proper sanitation in the shop premises and its surrounding areas, according to an advisory by Delhi’s health secretary.

All shops selling food, including street-side vendors and neighbourhood provision shops, would come under the purview of the advisory.

“The situation has been reviewed by the undersigned with officers from food safety department and it has been decided that before initiating punitive action against violators, and advisory may be issued giving 15 days time to adhere to the provisions of the law,” the advisory reads.

The advisory states that food business operators, especially kirana stores, were found dumping food waste and other non-food refuse on the roads at the time of closing their shops.

“It has been seen that shop owners tend to dispose waste outside the shop at the day’s end and then collect it and clean the surrounding in the morning. However, in the 12 hours there is a possibility that the waste gets scattered and causes contamination. At present, it is just an advisory and we have urged all shops selling food to voluntarily keep their surroundings clean,” said an official from the health department, on condition of anonymity.

“This food and non-food refuse in the vicinity of the shop poses serious threat to food safety and public health as inappropriately disposed of refuse has a potential to cause cross contamination due to pests and insects. This is a serious violation of the law,” the advisory states.