Tiruchi’s food culture is reflective of its multicultural population, and its diverse tastes. Whether savoured in restaurants or out on hawker stalls, the city’s cuisine can be a delight for both gourmet and hearty eaters.

However, Tiruchi’s street food stalls have repeatedly come under scrutiny for unhygienic practices and flouting rules of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

“There are an estimated 1,500 street food eateries in Tiruchi and we want them all to comply with FSSAI norms, beginning with obtaining licences. Hawkers, [those who sell food from mobile units or on foot], are exempt from paying the ₹100 registration fee, but they still have to get a licence that is periodically renewable. Other than this, our officers regularly inspect eateries to check for compliance with regard to cooking oil, packaging material, and use of approved ingredients. We are actively working to launch a dedicated Food Street in Tiruchi soon,” M. Jegadish Chandra Bose, District Designated Officer, Food Safety Wing, told The Hindu.

Creating awareness

Earlier this month, the Food Safety Wing organised an awareness programme for 50 social media food influencers in the city in which they were asked to promote only those street food vendors who hold a valid FSSAI licence.

“It is surprising to see that many stall operators do not have a licence even though they have been doing business here for a long time. Many home bakers, for example, are selling goods to customers despite not being licensed for commercial sales. The food we promote to the public should not just look good on camera, but also be safe to consume,” said N. Faizal Ahmed, a local digital marketer and influencer who vlogs as ‘Foodie Faizal’.

Despite these measures, street food stalls continue to proliferate in the city, for clientele who depend on them for their daily sustenance, to those who simply want to try something new. This has led to the verges of city roads getting occupied by mobile food vendors.

Crowds of diners can be seen flocking the makeshift stalls on the McDonald’s Road, Cantonment, Central Bus Stand, and other public spots from early evening until late at night.

The open-air service often carries the risk of contamination by automobile fumes and dust from the road. Stray dogs and cattle tend to linger in these areas, attracted by the aroma. “We do not know if the street food vendors clean their vessels properly or whether they use gloves when they handle fresh ingredients. We don’t even know if they reuse the oil. People get worried only when they get food poisoning,” said a resident.

Published - July 30, 2026 07:27 pm IST