Karnataka to Extend Food Safety Checks to Street Vendors Ahead of October Conclave

The state government said that the food‑safety drive, originally aimed at restaurants and hotels, will be broadened to include informal street‑food operators across Karnataka. Under the expanded scheme, vendors will be required to obtain a licence from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India or the state food‑safety department, undergo regular hygiene inspections and display compliance certificates at their stalls. The move is timed to coincide with a national food‑safety conclave scheduled for October in Karnataka, where policymakers and industry leaders will discuss standards for the informal sector. Officials said the initiative aims to curb food‑borne illnesses, improve consumer confidence and bring informal vendors into the formal economy; training workshops and subsidies for equipment will be offered to help vendors meet the new norms. The department will roll out the programme in phases, starting with major urban centres such as Bengaluru, Mysuru and Hubli, before reaching smaller towns and rural markets.