Mumbai Street Food Safety Alert: Recent Food Poisoning Cases Spark Concern

Mumbai, 31st May 2024: With the rising temperatures in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a stern cautionary advisory to residents regarding the consumption of street foods. Recent incidents of food poisoning have prompted concerns over food safety during the hot summer months. A tragic case involved the death of a 19-year-old man who consumed chicken shawarma from a local shop in Maharashtra Nagar, Mankhurd, with five others hospitalized for suspected food poisoning. Another incident last month saw 12 individuals hospitalized after consuming chicken shawarma in Goregaon East.

The BMC’s appeal underscores the heightened risks associated with consuming street food during summer, as the soaring temperatures provide an optimal breeding ground for harmful bacteria and pathogens. Dr Pranav Honnavara Srinivasan, senior consultant in Gastrointestinal and Bariatric Surgery at Sparsh Hospital Bengaluru, explains that warm environments facilitate the rapid multiplication of common pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, as highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Dr Srinivasan emphasizes that preventive measures are crucial for both vendors and consumers to ensure food safety:

For vendors:
– Proper Storage: Perishable items should be refrigerated or stored at suitable temperatures to prevent bacterial growth.
– Hygiene Practices: Maintain strict hygiene standards, including regular handwashing, use of clean utensils, and sanitization of preparation surfaces.
– Thorough Cooking: Ensure all food is cooked thoroughly to safe temperatures to eliminate harmful bacteria.

For consumers:
– Choose Reputable Vendors: Select vendors who visibly adhere to good hygiene practices, with clean surroundings and proper food handling techniques.
– Avoid Perishable Foods: Refrain from consuming items like salads, dairy products, and raw meats that spoil quickly in the heat.
– Observe Cleanliness: Pay attention to the cleanliness of the vendor and their stall, opting for clean stalls with properly covered food to minimize the risk of food poisoning.

While current regulations aim to ensure street food safety, Dr. Srinivasan suggests improvements such as more frequent inspections, better infrastructure, stricter penalties for non-compliance, and public awareness campaigns to enhance compliance with food safety standards and protect public health.