Ahmedabad: Food inspectors are no longer the only ones evaluating hygiene at street food stalls. Now, customers can approach a registered vendor, scan the displayed QR code, and rate the stall on a scale of one to five stars for cleanliness, food safety, and hygiene in under 30 seconds. Each rating is recorded in a live civic database, creating a real-time, data-driven food safety map for the city.
First-of-its-kind citizen feedback system
Under this pioneering initiative, the civic body has already gathered over 24,000 responses from food enthusiasts across the city. So far, 10,103 vendors have registered with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). Officials say the exercise helps identify both high-performing vendors and areas requiring improvement.
How the rating system works
The system is straightforward. Each registered vendor has a unique QR code linked to their GPS location and mobile number. Customers scan the code and assign a one-to-five-star rating based on cleanliness, food handling, and overall hygiene. The ratings are compiled zone-wise, providing officials with an updated snapshot of food safety conditions across Ahmedabad.
Early insights from 4,190 responses
An analysis of 4,190 responses offers an early glimpse into the city's street food hygiene scores. In the South Zone, 856 vendors received five-star ratings, 541 earned four stars, and 63 received three stars. The East Zone recorded 546 vendors with five-star ratings, while the Central Zone reported 242 five-star and 64 four-star ratings. The North Zone stood out for having the highest number of one-star ratings, with nine vendors flagged by consumers.
Shift from inspections to citizen involvement
AMC officials say the initiative marks a shift from relying solely on inspections to directly involving citizens in monitoring hygiene standards. “This is the first public interface where people are giving their opinions about street food vendors,” a senior AMC official said. They acknowledge that ratings are currently skewed toward the higher end, with most vendors receiving five-star reviews. However, they emphasize that the real value lies in identifying broader patterns rather than focusing on individual scores.
Beyond food safety: waste management and awareness
The database is already being used for purposes beyond food safety. AMC officials said the information helps plan solid waste management measures, including the placement of dustbins in busy food zones. It is also used for awareness campaigns aimed at improving hygiene practices among vendors. As part of outreach, multipurpose health workers have created WhatsApp broadcast groups covering all 10,103 registered vendors. Through these groups, vendors receive regular messages on maintaining cleanliness, preventing contamination, and understanding the risks of water-borne diseases.
Future expansion
Officials said the program is expected to expand further once dedicated food safety officers are appointed to strengthen monitoring and enforcement efforts across the city.
