Officials Raid 58 Pani Puri Shops in Chennai, Uncover Unhygienic Practices

In a significant move to ensure food safety, the Food Safety Department has turned its attention to pani puri vendors in Chennai. On Tuesday, officials conducted extensive raids on 58 shops and carts across the city, including 10 on Marina Beach, revealing widespread unhygienic practices.

Historical Context

The focus on food safety has been a growing concern in India, especially with the increasing popularity of street food. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was established in 2006 under the Food Safety and Standards Act to consolidate various acts and orders that had previously handled food-related issues in different Ministries and Departments. The FSSAI aims to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

Details of the Raid

A team led by Dr. P. Satheesh Kumar, Designated Officer of the Food Safety Department in Chennai, spearheaded the raids. This action followed a similar initiative by Karnataka’s Food Safety Department, which had discovered carcinogenic chemicals in several pani puri samples.

Dr. Satheesh Kumar stated, “We decided to inspect shops selling pani puri across the city. Our aim is to cover at least 700 in the next two to three days. There are more than 1,500 carts that sell the dish in the city.” These vendors are required to obtain a ₹100 registration under the FSSAI.

Findings and Recommendations

The team collected samples of masala and sauce from various outlets for testing. The primary concern was the unhygienic practices observed during the raids. Dr. Satheesh Kumar emphasized the importance of hygiene, stating, “People should look out for hygiene practices. The vendor should wear gloves and should not break the puri with his/her bare hands. Separate ladles should be used for pouring the sauce. We saw vendors dipping their hands into the container having the sauce. Separate spoons should be used for the masala. Disposable plates should be used for serving the pani puri.”

Future Actions

The department has begun enumerating shops selling pani puri in the city. Given the dish’s popularity, second only to biryani, the department plans to focus on this area. Training sessions for vendors will be organized in batches based on areas and wards to improve hygiene standards.

Summary

• Raids Conducted: 58 pani puri shops and carts in Chennai, including 10 on Marina Beach.
• Reason for Raids: Following Karnataka’s discovery of carcinogenic chemicals in pani puri samples.
• Findings: Widespread unhygienic practices, including improper food handling.
• Recommendations: Vendors should wear gloves, use separate ladles and spoons, and serve in disposable plates.
• Future Plans: Inspect 700 more shops, enumerate all pani puri vendors, and conduct training sessions for improved hygiene.

This initiative underscores the importance of food safety and hygiene, especially in popular street foods, to protect public health.