As you step out onto the busy Indian streets, your senses are immediately engulfed by a delightful array of sights, sounds, and smells. Street food stalls are dotted along the pavements, each one offering a tantalizing glimpse of India’s rich culinary heritage.
Each region has its own delicious representation in form of food, and street food in particular is a budget-friendly way to glimpse into a particular culture as food is the main parameter of cultural representation. For example: Vada in vada pav represents how Mumbaikers are soft and warm but if you try to crush them the result might be very hot and spicy just like the chilli and hot batata vada inside the vada pav 😉
Indian streets have it all- from pav bhaji to pani-puri, from chivda to samosa, from jalebi to momos, you just name it, as each street has an aroma and story of its own.
While street food might be the first preference for foodies due to it tendency of being extremely delicious and budget friendly, but the main disadvantage when it comes to street food is hygiene as many incidents have suggested how a random pani-puri waala mixes his pee in the pani-puri to make it tastier and how people hog on it, only to get typhoid later. This is just one of such famous incident as there are many health hazards and diseases that follow after consuming street-food. It’s important to take necessary precautions to avoid foodborne illnesses when it comes to street food, so here are the top 5 red flags to watch out for while visiting street food vendors:
- Dirty or Unsanitary Conditions:
If the food vendor’s cooking area or utensils look dirty or unsanitary, it’s a red flag that the food may not be safe to eat. Look for signs of proper hygiene, such as hand washing stations, clean cooking surfaces, and gloves worn by the vendor.
- Unrefrigerated or Uncovered Food:
Food that is left out in the open air or without proper refrigeration can quickly become contaminated with bacteria and cause food poisoning. Look for food that is covered or stored in a refrigerated unit to ensure that it’s safe to eat.
- Low Turnover of Food:
If the vendor has a low turnover of food, it’s a red flag that the food may not be fresh. Freshly cooked food is less likely to cause food poisoning, so look for vendors that have a high turnover of food to ensure that you’re getting fresh, safe-to-eat food.
- Lack of Price Transparency:
If the vendor doesn’t display prices or if they seem to be charging more than other vendors in the area, it’s a red flag that they may be trying to overcharge you. Make sure that you know the average prices for street food in the area before making a purchase to avoid getting ripped off.
- Unlicensed Vendors:
Unlicensed street vendors may not be subject to the same health and safety regulations as licensed vendors, making them a higher risk for foodborne illnesses. Look for vendors with proper licenses and permits to ensure that you’re eating from a safe and regulated source.
By looking out for these red flags and taking the necessary safety measures, you can enjoy the flavors of your favorite street foods without putting your health at risk.