The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare has inaugurated India’s first Healthy & Hygienic Food Street, ‘PRASADAM,’ at Neelkanth Van, Mahakal Lok, in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh on January 8, 2024.
The Union Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring the health of the nation’s citizens. He stated, “Apart from substantive health infrastructure, healthy and hygienic food is a necessary component for good health. In the coming days, every city will have its own food street, ensuring healthy food reaches all corners of the nation.”
The Union Health Minister officially launched the website for the Healthy & Hygienic Food Street initiative and unveiled a brochure outlining the Standard Operating Procedure for these food streets. In addition to this, he also inaugurated 17 civil works, including two Public Health Unit blocks, 54 Chief Minister Sanjeevni Health Clinics, three Integrated Public Health Labs, an Emergency Covid response package, three Community Health Centres, and eight Primary Health Care Centres.
Highlighting the importance of mental health, the Union Health Minister and the Chief Minister jointly launched the Mannhit app, an initiative facilitating mental health screenings. Under the National Health Mission, various projects were inaugurated, and Digital Bhoomi Pujan was conducted.
Exploring the vibrant stalls at the Eat Right Millets Melas, the Union Health Minister interacted with trained food handlers and commended the development of infrastructure and facilities near food streets, including the training and capacity building of street food vendors on food safety and hygiene.
The Chief Minister praised the Food Street initiative, stating that it will contribute to ensuring healthy and clean food for all in an engaging manner, thereby contributing to the vision of a healthy nation.
To empower consumers in tackling adulteration, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) released “The DART Book,” providing simple tests to check common food adulterations at home. Additionally, a mobile food testing van called Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) was launched to reach remote areas, conduct training, and raise awareness about food safety and adulteration.
Spanning 939 square meters with 19 shops, “Prasadam” offers culturally rich dining options for the 1-1.5 lakh devotees who visit the Mahakaleshwar Temple daily. Designed with various facilities including a kids’ play area, drinking water facility, CCTV surveillance, parking, public conveniences, and seating spaces, “Prasadam” is poised to enhance Ujjain’s tourism appeal, preserve its culinary traditions, and contribute to economic growth and community engagement.
