Post News Network
Cuttack, Jan 16: Even as jaundice continues to spread its tentacles in the city, the sale of street food goes unchecked.
The disease has affected more than 10 people in Kadam Rasul area. Upon a reality check by Orissa Post, the quality of food sold in the city was found to be poor even by standards set by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC).
‘‘There are nearly 10,000 street vendors in the city and nearly two thirds of them are Dahibara Aloodum sellers (Cuttack is famous for Dahibara). Most of the vendors live in slums where water is said to be contaminated due to leakage in supply pipes. Consumption of contaminated water can cause diarrhoea and jaundice but there is no check on the sale of street food by the CMC despite cases of jaundice being reported in the city,’’ said Neha Mohanty, a resident.
Malaya Mohapatra, a resident of Link Road said most of the street vendors use piped water for cooking food as it is the only source of water for them.
“As most of the pipes have developed cracks, the supply water is getting mixed up with drainage water. Besides, many of them add artificial colours and chemicals in aloodum (potato curry) and ghuguni (curry made out of dried white peas) which could pose a health risk,” he added.
Malaya stated CMC officials conduct checks once a year during Dussehra festival. “Students are most susceptible to the disease as most of the street vendors sell their food near schools,” he said.
Meanwhile, BP Mishra, CMC health officer, claimed that sale of street food near schools was banned a month ago as a preventive measure. He also claimed they regularly conduct raids on roadside food sellers in several areas and evict those found to be not adhering to basic hygiene standards. The vendors have also been directed not to use artificial colours, Mishra added.
