BBMP plans survey of street food vendors from outside state to curb use of harmful substances

BENGALURU: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is planning to conduct a survey of street food vendors from outside the state to curb the use of harmful substances, following concerns raised by the state Health Department over their impact on people’s health.

Recently, the state Health Department issued a notification that no artificial colours should be used in the preparation of kebabs including vegetarian, chicken, fish, cotton candy, gobi manchurian and other food items.

As part of its ongoing drive, the BBMP is taking further steps and restrictions have been imposed on inter-state street vendors. The BBMP health department plans to take action against street vendors who use adulterated ingredients in food items like panipuri, kebab, gobi manchurian and shawarma.

The survey of out-of-state street food vendors is scheduled to begin in the second week of July. If vendors from outside the state are found operating without a valid identity card, they will not be allowed to vend. Additionally, the BBMP will bring vendors from the state under a single card system, providing them to those who don’t have one.

This is aimed at controlling out-of-state traders and support in-state vendors. The BBMP has planned this action following a complaint from the vendors’ federation.