MARGAO
The next time you go to a fast food gadda in the commercial capital to have a rasa omelet or wada pav or bhel puri, do not be surprised if you find the traders attired in red coloured caps and aprons.
In fact, on Friday the Margao fast food kiosk owners not only received certificates of participation after undergoing two-day training in hygiene and cleanliness, but also red-coloured caps and aprons.
Fast food gadda traders donned red-coloured caps and aprons at the Margao Municipal hall on Friday as they waited to receive their certificate of participation in the project “Serve Safe Food” organised by Nestle India Ltd in collaboration with Directorate of Food & Drugs Administration and the National Association of Street Vendors of India.
As the fast food traders came in turns to receive their certificates from the Margao Municipal Chairperson Damu Shirodkar, the civic chief stressed on the need to provide food in hygiene conditions for the customers. “There ought to be no compromise on both quality and cleanliness. In my Aquem ward, I have got the fast food kiosk owners to ensure hygiene at all times,” he said, warning that those gaddas not complying with hygiene and cleanliness parameters will have to face the music.
Saying that fast food gadda owners are all common man struggling to eke a living on sale of fast food, the MMC chairperson said he would personally carry out surprise inspections to see that the traders maintain hygiene and cleanliness.
“We understand that all of you do not come from high class families to eke a living on fast food kiosks. At the same time, we have to all ensure that the customers get quality and hygienic food,” he added.
President of Margao Gadda Traders Association Prashant Naik reminded the fast food traders that it is their duty to provide hygienic food to the customers. “The Margao Municipality is doing their work of monitoring our activities. Let us do our work. MMC’s work is secondary, but our job is primary responsibility of our customers,” Prashant added.
