EAT RIGHT CAMPAIGN – POLITY
News: Ministry
of Health proposes 100 food streets across country to promote hygiene and
safety
What's in the news?
● The
Health Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban
Affairs, has asked States and Union Territories to develop 100 food streets in
100 districts across the country.
Eat Right Campaign:
● The
initiative is being taken up as a pilot project to create an example for best practices for food businesses.
● It
is a centrally sponsored campaign.
Aim:
● To
encourage safe and healthy practices to reduce
food-borne illnesses and improve overall health outcomes.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Health &
Family Welfare (Collaboration with Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs)
Implementation:
● The
initiative will be implemented through the National
Health Mission (NHM) in convergence with the Ministry of Housing and Urban
Affairs and with technical support from the Food Safety and Standards Authority
of India (FSSAI).
● Financial assistance
of ₹1 crore per food street/district will be given to States and Union
Territories.
● The
project envisages 100 such food streets
in 100 districts across the country. Assistance will be provided under the
NHM in the ratio of 60:40 or 90:10,
with the condition that standard branding of these food streets will be done as
per FSSAI guidelines.
Features:
● Municipal
Corporations and District Collectors were asked to take the initiative to
ensure convergence in terms of financial resources and physical infrastructure.
● Various
other initiatives such as training of food handlers, independent third-party audits, and certification of Eat Right
Street Food Hubs, and developing a standard procedure for modernization of food
streets would be undertaken.
● States
and Union Territories can also conduct training programmes for street vendors
on food safety, maintenance of hygiene, and waste disposal.
Significance:
● Easy
access to safe and hygienic food is vital for the good health of citizens.
● Safe
food practices would not only boost the “eat right campaign” and food safety
but also improve the hygiene credibility of local food businesses.
● Other
benefits would include local employment opportunities, improvement in tourism
potential and a boost to the economy.