International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Food Handling and Hygiene Practices of Street Food Vendors – A Case Study

Street food refers to ready-to-eat food and beverages that are prepared and sold by vendors in public places, such as streets, markets, and roadside stalls. It is typically served from food carts, stalls, or kiosks and consumed on the go. Street food is widely popular due to its affordability, convenience, and variety of flavours. Indian street food stalls offer a variety of famous local dishes, including Pani Puri, Vada Pav, Momos, Pav Bhaji, Chaat, Chowmein, and Chicken Pakoda. These food items are highly sought after and well-loved by consumers. Nowadays, street food stalls are making a good income; however, it’s a major concerns about food safety and hygiene persist due to inadequate food handling practices, lack of proper sanitation, and exposure to environmental contaminants. This study assess the food handling and hygiene practices of street food vendors, focusing on personal hygiene, food preparation, storage, environmental sanitation, etc. The study was conducted in the Jharsuguda district of Odisha. Under this research study, five famous food stalls from Jharsuguda town were selected. Findings suggest that enhancing food safety knowledge, implementing strict hygiene protocols, and providing training to vendors can significantly improve food quality and consumer health. The study emphasises the need for regulatory enforcement and public awareness initiatives to ensure safe and hygienic street food practices. Keywords: - Food Handling, Hygiene Practices, Environmental Hygiene, Health Hazards