
The Perils Of Eating Roadside Food
March 6, 2025
We all love the roadside food culture in our country which is as varied as its traditions. From chaats to pav bhaaji to paani puris to dosas to vada pav, the list is simply endless. Whether you are craving for a piping hot pakoda or a cold kulfi to whet your appetite, the streets of India have something for everyone.
Best avoided to avoid health complications
While we all crave to gorge on street food, the important question is: how healthy and hygienic are they? In my opinion, it is very important to eat and drink with utmost discretion when it concerns food or beverages from the roadside.
To elucidate further, let’s begin with a fact-file: the World Health Organization (WHO) continuously raises awareness about the potential health risks while consuming food from the streets, which is susceptible to be contaminated by bacteria, usage of banned chemicals and other substances. It estimates that 600 million people worldwide fall sick after consuming contaminated street food every year, out of which a staggering 4,20,000 end up losing their lives!
Why this unhealthy tag?
The reasons why most people refrain from consuming such food and drinks are manifold, namely:
Contamination: This is the most common reason of falling sick after consuming roadside food. High temperatures and unhygienic conditions are a hotbed for the growth of bacteria and other pathogens that lead to a high possibility of getting infected with food-borne illnesses.
Compromised freshness: Most food vendors unfortunately do not have facilities for refrigeration, thereby making it challenging to maintain the freshness and safety of the ingredients, especially during the hot summer months.
Unhygienic practices: Street food vendors often lack optimal hygiene practices such as regular hand-washing and proper washing of utensils. This often leads to contamination. Unclean water used for preparation of the items not only deteriorates the quality of the food but is also a major cause of outbreaks of food poisoning.
Excessive use of spices, condiments and banned ingredients:
These can lead to digestive ailments, especially in the summer months. At the same time, some food vendors often knowingly, or even unknowingly, use banned substances which are obviously detrimental to our health.
Prevention is better than cure
In spite of the above-mentioned hazards, we all want to sometimes still indulge in roadside food simply for the fun and joy of it! However, it becomes prudent to follow the guidelines encapsulated below:
- Look for busy stalls: Busier stalls usually imply a higher turnover of food and a greater likelihood of what is being dished out being fresh and hygienic.
- Prioritize cleanliness: Do not comprise on cleanliness at any cost. Stay away from food and beverages from roadside eateries that are dirty and insect-ridden. The shop must also be away from a dirty drain or a garbage vat.
- Focus on cutlery: Always try to clean the cutlery with fresh tissues before consuming your food or drink.
- Say no to cut fruits and salads: Refrain from eating cut fruits and raw veggies since they might have been cut long before your consumption. They might have been washed and cleaned with unsafe tap water.
- Avoid ice cubes: Water is the biggest culprit in harming your health. It is thus advisable to not add ice cubes while sipping on your favourite juices or beverages at a roadside eatery.
Stay fit, stay healthy!
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