The Bureau of Indian Standards -BIS has finalized an Indian Standard on basic requirements for street food vendors as food safety is a major concern with street foods. According to an official release, this was disclosed by Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Prof. K.V Thomas in Mumbai yesterday. 

He said that street food sector has shown phenomenal growth recently. He said, it is readily accessible and affordable to urban population and this sector is also a source of livelihood for a large number of people. He said that the standard developed by BIS has immense potential to safeguard public health and also promote the confidence of the consumer over the entire spectrum of food industry. 

Prof Thomas said that the three Indian Standards recently formulated by BIS, Indian Standards on Good Manufacturing Practices, Good Hygienic Practices and Food Retail Management are also important in this respect as they are envisaged to act as foundations of Food Safety Management System.

The Centre has expressed concern by the recent price volatility seen in certain agricultural commodities and decided to constitute an advisory committee within a week. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai yesterday, Union Food Minister, K V Thomas said that the committee will be formed by Union Food Ministry and it will consist of farmers and people from industry and media. He added that the government is in talks with the Forward Markets Commission to bring down the volatility in prices in the futures market.

On the proposed Forward Contract Regulation Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill, the minister said the bill is being considered by the Cabinet and is expected to be cleared in the Monsoon session of Parliament.

Talking about export of wheat, Mr. Thomas said the proposal to export two million tonnes of wheat from the central pool could be discussed in the forthcoming Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs - CCEA meeting. He, however, clarified that the government was not in haste to export foodgrain as its first priority is distribution within the country.

Union Food Minister has said that although the government is concerned about IMD’s report of average monsoon this year, it is not much worried. He said that the foodgrains production is likely to be similar to last year’s production of 252.56 million tonnes.

The Centre will provide all assistance to Madhya Pradesh for increasing procurement of wheat. This was stated by Food and Public Distribution Minister, Prof. K.V. Thomas during a meeting with Chief Minister Shivaj Singh Chauhan in New Delhi. Mr. Thomas said government has provided 2 gunny lakhs bags and assured to meet their requirement.