Gloves, Hairnets & No Newspaper: Viral Video Shows Mumbai Street Food’s Makeover Amid FDA Crackdown

In Mumbai, a viral video on social media highlights the city's street food stalls and eateries adopting improved hygiene and food-safety practices due to the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) crackdown on establishments violating food safety norms. The video showcases several changes at street food stalls, such as cooks wearing gloves and hairnets while preparing and serving food.

Some vendors have also stopped wrapping items like vada pav in newspapers, switching to cleaner food-grade wrapping paper instead. The video also reveals a reduction in artificial food colors, with dishes like Manchurian and chutneys being served in more natural shades. Plates, pans, and other cooking equipment are being cleaned more thoroughly, as evidenced by a tissue wipe showing no dirt.

Locally sold packaged products like bread, toast, and ketchup bottles at eateries are increasingly displaying the MRP, ingredients, and expiry dates. The intensified enforcement drive by the Maharashtra FDA, under Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, has led to closures and suspended food licenses for several establishments found in violation of hygiene and food-safety regulations.

Inspections have extended beyond restaurants and street-food outlets to supermarkets and facilities associated with quick-commerce and food-delivery platforms, including Blinkit and Zepto. The video has garnered significant attention, with over 35.5 million views, nearly two million likes, and thousands of comments.