In a significant move to enhance food safety standards, Dimapur witnessed a comprehensive training program for street food vendors on Friday. The initiative, held at the Directorate of Tourism, aims to strengthen safe food handling practices and improve service quality ahead of the much-anticipated Hornbill Festival.
Boosting Food Safety Standards for Festival Season
The food safety and hygiene training programme specifically targets street food vendors who will serve thousands of visitors during the upcoming Hornbill Festival. Organized by the tourism department in collaboration with the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI), the initiative received additional support from Food Safety Training & Certification (FoSTaC) and Nestle India.
Commissioner and Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Anoop Khinchi, who attended as guest of honor, emphasized the critical importance of maintaining strict hygiene standards. He outlined several key requirements for vendors, including maintaining personal cleanliness, ensuring hygienic food preparation methods, keeping stalls and surrounding areas spotless, and implementing proper waste disposal systems.
Government Officials Stress Sustained Food Safety Practices
Khinchi made a crucial point about food safety being a continuous practice rather than a temporary measure. He stressed that food safety should be a sustained practice, not limited to the festival period, indicating the government's long-term vision for food safety in the region.
Commissioner and Secretary of Tourism, Zasekuolie Chusi, described the training as both timely and essential. He urged all participating vendors to maintain discipline, efficiency, and professionalism while serving visitors from across India and international tourists. Chusi also reminded vendors to comply with government regulations and adhere to notified food rates to ensure public safety and maintain the festival's reputation.
Comprehensive Cleanliness Drive Across Kohima
Simultaneously with the training program, authorities launched a mass social work drive across Kohima to ensure cleanliness and enhance hygiene standards. The drive focuses on beautifying public spaces ahead of the festive season and the Hornbill Festival.
Senior officials including Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen, Kohima DC B Henok Buchem, and Senior SP Krodi Rhetso personally inspected various locations during the cleanliness drive, demonstrating the administration's commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all festival attendees.
The coordinated efforts between food safety training and city-wide cleanliness initiatives represent a comprehensive approach to ensuring visitors have both a safe and enjoyable experience during Nagaland's most famous cultural celebration.
