A food safety training and awareness programme was held on Thursday at Shivaji Nagar’s Hawkers’ Corner, where street food vendors were instructed on hygienic food preparation practices.

The session was conducted by the Food Safety Administration on  directives of Bhopal Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh. It is part of an ongoing citywide initiative to improve food safety standards in public spaces.

Food Safety Officer Devendra Kumar Dubey guided vendors on the controlled use of food additives like monosodium glutamate (Ajinomoto), vinegar, artificial flavours, and synthetic food colouring. He also advised them not to reuse cooking oil more than three times when frying snacks such as samosas and kachoris.

Vendors were told to wear clean clothing including gloves and aprons while preparing food. The emphasis was on maintaining basic hygiene to prevent contamination, especially in street food, which is widely consumed across Bhopal.

The training is set to expand to colleges and schools in the coming weeks, ensuring that food safety awareness spreads among students and food handlers on campuses as well.

This campaign comes at a crucial time, with Bhopal currently experiencing an early and intense heatwave. Daytime temperatures have seen a steep rise, increasing the risk of food spoilage and bacterial contamination.

In summer, even slight lapses in hygiene can cause foodborne illnesses. Vendors using unclean equipment or reheated oil pose serious health risks, particularly to children and the elderly who are more vulnerable.

Authorities believe these efforts will help safeguard public health while equipping vendors with the knowledge to maintain cleanliness and serve safe, quality food throughout the year, and especially during the harsh summer months.