The Indian Express               23.05.2013

SMC to grade road-side eateries for good hygiene

In an attempt to improve hygiene among the countless road-side eateries that come alive after dusk in the city, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has decided to grade them. "This grading will be part of an on-going awareness drive being carried out for hawkers in Surat. "We have started a drive to ensure that hawkers sell hygienic food to customers. Under this drive, we have also decided to allocate grades to these eateries depending on the cleanliness and the quality of food served," said R J Patel, Deputy Commissioner, Health department, SMC.

In the last seven days, health department officials, during the drive, slapped a fine of Rs 4.93 lakh on 2,100 stall owners in the city. The officials, comprising sanitary inspectors, food inspectors and other staffers, had carried out surprise checks in various hawking zones in the city. The teams found that the majority of the eateries were selling unhygienic food, with no sanitation, and even the area where the customers consume their food was not cleaned properly.

At present, there are over 5,000 eateries that are registered with the SMC, selling some or the other form of food items, including snacks. "Most of the eateries are unregistered. During the drive, an attempt will also be made to register such unregistered hawkers," officials added.

The SMC has already put in place certain guidelines about grading the road-side eateries. It has directed usage of fresh vegetables, clean water and disposable dishes. Those working at such eateries should also follow certain standards of hygiene like wearing hand gloves, a cap to cover the head and an apron.

Health department officials have also made a small film educating the children about the precautions to be taken while consuming roadside food. This film will be shown to the students studying in municipal schools and private schools after the school reopens.