In a bid to ensure that the food served at street food stalls is of quality and hygiene, the Health Department has planned to implement a new initiative - Healthy and Hygienic Food Streets - on a pilot basis in Chennai, Tiruchi, Madurai, Salem, Coimbatore and Tiruppur, Health Minister K.G. Arunraj said.He conducted a review meeting with officials of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department on Wednesday.The Minister said they have come up with the initiative to ensure that food served by street food vendors is of quality and hygiene. “One street will be selected in each district, and a model - Healthy and Hygienic Food Streets - will be established. We will create a hygienic environment, standardise the food stalls and provide loan assistance for initial investment,” he told reporters.Additionally, Dr. Arunraj said that the government plans to administer typhoid vaccination for food handlers at street food outlets - cooks and those who serve food - to protect against infectious diseases. An announcement to this effect will be made soon, he added.He said that the Food Safety department has the responsibility of ensuring the safety of food provided by food establishments.Referring to a recent incident in which factory workers fell ill after consuming contaminated food, he said such occurrences should be prevented in the future and safety of food should be ensured in high risk areas such as non-vegetarian restaurants and temple festivals where a large number of people prepare and serve food. It has been stressed that food should be prepared and served in a safe manner.Noting that there were some complaints of harassment by food safety officers, he said it would be ensured that there is no harassment and officers would do their duty as stipulated by the Food Safety and Standards Act. Published - June 25, 2026 05:30 am IST