Several Indian states have recently implemented bans on popular street food items due to serious food safety concerns. The southern state of Telangana prohibited raw egg-based mayonnaise for one year in October following multiple food poisoning incidents, including the death of a 31-year-old woman who consumed dumplings with the dip from a Hyderabad street vendor.
Telangana’s decision mirrors neighboring Kerala’s 2023 ban on the same product. Raw egg mayonnaise carries significant Salmonella risk when improperly prepared or stored, leading to these regulatory actions.
Cotton candy has also come under regulatory scrutiny, with Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Himachal Pradesh banning the confection in 2024. These bans stem from the discovery of Rhodamine B, a carcinogenic textile dye, being used to achieve the product’s characteristic pink color. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) prohibits this chemical in food products.
In March of 2024, Karnataka expanded its ban on Rhodamine B after finding it was commonly used not only in cotton candy but also in gobi manchurian, a popular Indian-Chinese cauliflower dish. Health authorities warn that prolonged consumption of this chemical can cause liver dysfunction or cancer, while acute exposure can result in immediate poisoning.
Other street foods raising safety concerns include kebabs and pani puri (fried wheat snacks filled with vegetables and spices), which have tested positive for unsafe artificial colors.
These incidents highlight broader challenges in India’s street food safety ecosystem. With approximately 10 million street food vendors nationwide, many with limited education, awareness about food safety regulations remains inadequate.
Since 2017, FSSAI has conducted food safety certification training for over 1.8 million vendors. Sangeeta Singh of the National Association of Street Vendors of India emphasized that most vendors would not deliberately harm their customers if properly educated about these dangers.
A former FSSAI executive noted that while India has robust food safety regulations, expecting street vendors to master all rules is unrealistic. He suggested simplified materials tailored specifically for vendors.
Enforcement challenges compound these issues. As of 2022, India had only 2,574 food safety officers—just 15% of the 17,003 needed. Twelve states reported officer shortages exceeding 90%. The country also lacks sufficient food testing laboratories, with only about 250 recognized facilities as of 2023, mostly concentrated in larger, wealthier states.
Food safety experts note that while Indian regulations meet international standards, resource limitations hamper effective enforcement across this vast nation. They suggest that increased consumer awareness could drive change, as vendors would adapt to meet customer expectations.
Despite a 2018 FSSAI ban on using newspapers to wrap food—a practice that can transfer harmful chemicals including lead and heavy metals into food—the practice continues in many regions due to limited public awareness of these dangers.
Commenting on this article, the nation’s leading Salmonella lawyer said, “Many countries face the unique challenge of enforcing modern food safety standards that often clash with traditional preparation techniques and serving practices. The results are well worth it as it increases food safety for all.”
