New Compulsory Exam for Street Food Vendors – FSSAI Order

New Compulsory Exam for Street Food Vendors – FSSAI Order

Foodiers News: Hot vada pav – the heart and soul of countless Indians. The golden, crispy fried vada tucked into a soft pav, topped with tangy red and green chutneys, a fiery green chili on the side, all washed down with steaming ginger tea. And that’s just the start. Spicy pani puri, with its tangy tamarind chutney and mashed potatoes; piping hot kadepohe; mouthwatering pav bhaji, kathi rolls, and chole bhature. From Mumbai’s chaats to South India’s dosas and uttappams, the list of India’s beloved street food goes on.

These flavors don’t just satisfy hunger; they are the lifeblood of India’s vibrant street food culture. On nearly every corner, carts serve up delicacies to eager customers. But if you plan on selling your tea or setting up a vada pav cart, there’s a new requirement coming: an exam.

Yes, you heard that right. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced an order stating that vendors will soon need to pass an exam—both online and offline—to ensure hygiene and cleanliness standards are met. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will provide training to help street vendors understand these regulations and maintain sanitary conditions while preparing food.

While this exam isn’t mandatory at the moment, it could become so in the near future. The test will be graded out of 50 marks and aims to ensure that street food, one of India’s most iconic culinary experiences, is served under clean and safe conditions.

Street food vendors, whose livelihoods depend on these small carts, have welcomed the move from a hygiene standpoint. After all, a cleaner environment benefits both the sellers and their loyal customers. However, there is a concern: many of these vendors are illiterate, and an examination could pose a challenge for them. Instead of a formal test, some are requesting training programs followed by regular inspections to ensure cleanliness, rather than relying on written exams.

New Compulsory Exam for Street Food Vendors – FSSAI Order

As India moves towards better food safety standards, this new initiative could signal a big shift for the country’s street food scene. Whether it’s embraced fully or adjusted to suit the needs of the vendors, one thing is clear: the streets will still be filled with the aroma of sizzling vada pavs and piping hot chaats.