Nagaland: Kohima Street food vendors trained on hygiene, safety ahead of Hornbill Festival
Dimapur: A food safety and hygiene training programme for street food vendors was conducted at the Directorate of Tourism in Kohima on Friday, aiming to strengthen safe food handling, hygiene practices, and service standards.
The initiative is intended to help vendors provide a safe and high-quality culinary experience to visitors during the upcoming Hornbill Festival.
The programme was organised by the Tourism Department in collaboration with the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI), with support from Food Safety Training & Certification (FoSTaC) and Nestlé India, as part of preparations for the festival.
Commissioner and Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Anoop Khinchi, who attended the inaugural programme as the guest of honour, emphasised the need for strict hygiene practices at all levels.
He said vendors must maintain personal cleanliness, ensure hygienic food preparation, keep their stalls and surrounding areas clean, and practice proper waste disposal.
He also noted that food safety should be a sustained practice, not limited only to the festival period.
Commissioner and Secretary of Tourism, Zasekuolie Chusi, described the training as timely and essential.
Acknowledging Nestlé India’s contribution in supporting the initiative, he urged vendors to remain disciplined, efficient, and professional while serving visitors from across the country and abroad.
He also reminded them to strictly comply with government regulations and adhere to the notified food rates in the interest of public safety.
Giving an overview of the training, Surojit Mukherjee, Branch Head, Corporate Affairs, Nestlé India, said the programme was specifically tailored for vendors who will be operating stalls during the Hornbill Festival.
The second session, conducted under Nestlé India’s CSR initiative “Project Serve Safe Food,” focused on building long-term capacity among street food vendors.
Meanwhile, a mass social work drive was carried out across Kohima on Friday, aimed at ensuring cleanliness, enhancing hygiene, and beautifying public spaces ahead of the festive season and the Hornbill Festival.
Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen, Kohima DC B Henok Buchem, and Senior SP Krodi Rhetso inspected various locations during the drive.