Ranchi: Ranchi’s food safety wing would launch a special inspection drive of roadside eateries and street food stalls using mobile food testing laboratory vans.Officials said the campaign will target contaminated water, stale ingredients, uncovered food and unsafe storage practices that often trigger food-borne illnesses during the summer season.The drive will cover busy roadside food hubs, markets, school zones and evening snack clusters where vendors sell chaats, juices, cut fruits, fried snacks and cooked meals in the open. Samples of water, oil, spices, milk products and prepared food items will be tested on the spot.Ranchi food safety officer Pawan Kumar said checks on street food vendors are conducted regularly, but inspections are stepped up in summer as food spoils faster in high temperatures.“From next week, mobile food testing laboratory vans will be deployed in different parts of the city. During summer, the risk of bacterial contamination increases significantly due to heat, improper storage and use of unsafe water. We are particularly focusing on stale food, repeated use of cooking oil, unhygienic handling and uncovered food items exposed to dust and flies,” he said.He added that registration under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, is mandatory for all food vendors and roadside eateries. Vendors have been instructed to maintain clean vending carts, use covered dustbins, keep vegetarian and non-vegetarian items separately and ensure that only potable water is used for cooking, washing and serving food.Officials said vendors violating food quality norms may face penalties under Food Safety and Standards Authority of India norms. Serious violations can lead to seizure of food items, cancellation of registration or licence, and legal action against food business operators found compromising public health.“Cases of food poisoning, diarrhoea, typhoid and stomach infections usually rise during extreme heat. People should avoid consuming uncovered food, cut fruits kept in the open and beverages prepared with untreated water. Citizens must also check whether food is freshly prepared and hygienically stored,” said general physician Rakesh Ranjan.
