The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare has recently reviewed the ‘Food Street Project,’ which aims to develop 100 healthy and hygienic food streets across India. In this essay, we will discuss the project’s details, need and significance, and other related initiatives.

About the ‘Food Street Project’

The ‘Food Street Project’ is an initiative by the National Health Mission (NHM) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to develop 100 healthy and hygienic food streets across India. The NHM will provide a pilot project grant of Rs. 1 crore per food street to support the development of these streets. The grant will be routed under NHM, in the ratio of 60:40 or 90:10, with the condition that branding of these food streets will be done as per Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines.

The initiative will be implemented through NHM in convergence with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), apart from FSSAI’s technical support. The financial assistance will be provided for activities such as providing safe drinking water, hand washing, toilet facilities, tiled flooring of common areas, appropriate liquid & solid waste disposal, provision of dustbins, using billboards, façade preparation and signage of permanent nature, common storage space, lighting, specialized carts for a specific type of trades, and branding.

Need and Significance

Street food has been an integral part of Indian food culture and has played an immense role in sustaining and shaping the Indian food economy. However, street food is often associated with health risks, such as foodborne illnesses, due to poor hygiene and food safety practices. Therefore, the aim of this project is to encourage safe and healthy food practices among food businesses and community members. This will help reduce foodborne illnesses and improve overall health outcomes. The project will also help in promoting local food businesses, creating employment opportunities, and enhancing the tourism industry by providing unique food experiences.

Other Related Initiatives

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken various steps to improve the hygiene and food safety standards protocols for food street hubs. Some of these initiatives include training of food handlers, independent third-party audits, and certification under the Clean Street Food Hub initiative of the Eat Right India movement. These initiatives have helped improve the hygiene and food safety standards of food street businesses and have made them more attractive to customers.

Important Points

🍴 The ‘Food Street Project’ aims to develop 100 healthy and hygienic food streets across India.

📈 The National Health Mission will provide a pilot project grant of Rs. 1 crore per food street.

👩‍🍳 Financial assistance will be provided for activities such as providing safe drinking water, hand washing, toilet facilities, tiled flooring of common areas, appropriate liquid & solid waste disposal, provision of dustbins, using billboards, façade preparation and signage of permanent nature, common storage space, lighting, specialized carts for a specific type of trades, and branding.

🙏 The project aims to encourage safe and healthy food practices among food businesses and community members, thus reducing foodborne illnesses and improving overall health outcomes.

🍲 Street food has been an integral part of Indian food culture and has played an immense role in sustaining and shaping the Indian food economy.

🏭 The project will promote local food businesses, create employment opportunities, and enhance the tourism industry.

👨‍🍳 The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken various steps to improve the hygiene and food safety standards protocols for food street hubs, including training of food handlers, independent third-party audits, and certification under the Clean Street Food Hub initiative of the Eat Right India movement.

Why In News

The Health and Family Welfare Minister, in collaboration with senior officers of the Health Ministry and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), conducted a review of the ‘Food Street Project’ with the aim of developing 100 healthy and hygienic food streets across India.

MCQs about Food Street Project

  1. What is the aim of the ‘Food Street Project’?
    A. To develop 100 unhealthy and unhygienic food streets across India.
    B. To reduce foodborne illnesses and improve overall health outcomes.
    C. To promote unsafe and unsustainable street food practices.
    D. To discourage local food businesses and tourism.
    Correct Answer: B. To reduce foodborne illnesses and improve overall health outcomes.
    Explanation: The ‘Food Street Project’ aims to encourage safe and healthy food practices among food businesses and community members in order to reduce foodborne illnesses and improve overall health outcomes.
  2. Who will provide financial assistance for the ‘Food Street Project’?
    A. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
    B. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
    C. The National Health Mission (NHM) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
    D. The Ministry of Tourism
    Correct Answer: C. The National Health Mission (NHM) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
    Explanation: Under the ‘Food Street Project’, the National Health Mission (NHM) will provide financial assistance of Rs. 1 crore per food street to support 100 healthy and hygienic food streets across the country.
  3. What are some of the activities that will be covered under the financial assistance provided for the ‘Food Street Project’?
    A. Providing unsafe drinking water and unhygienic toilet facilities.
    B. Neglecting liquid and solid waste disposal.
    C. Providing common storage space, specialized carts, and branding.
    D. All of the above.
    Correct Answer: C. Providing common storage space, specialized carts, and branding.
    Explanation: The financial assistance provided for the ‘Food Street Project’ will cover activities such as providing safe drinking water, hand washing facilities, appropriate liquid and solid waste disposal, provision of dustbins, common storage space, lighting, specialized carts for a specific type of trades, branding, among others.

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