The draft standard is now in the public’s domain for scrutiny and once there are no technical flaws it would be passed and put into law.

Speaking at a consultation held on Thursday at GNBS headquarters in Sophia, Director Chatterpaul Ram-charran told the few vendors who showed up that the volume of food sold in the streets had increased and now needed to be regulated given the threat to the health and safety of consumers.

The draft standard states that every vendor must undergo a medical examination and complete training in hygienic food handling approved by the competent authority. Those vendors with infectious illnesses such as influenza, a common cold, tuberculosis and typhoid among others cannot sell food.

Further, upon completion all vendors must obtain a valid food handlers’ identification card from the competent authority.

They would also be required to wear aprons. Men would have to wear caps and women a hairnet or headscarf which must be kept clean and in good condition.

Vendors cannot wear jewellery including watches while handling food. They would be required to observe elementary hygienic practices such as having short hair, clean, short unpolished fingernails and clean hands.

The standard demands that raw materials be acquired from clean sources and that vendors should purchase packaged materials that are labelled in English language.

Sales units must be built of solid materials, kept clean and in good condition. Also, vendors cannot be stationed in areas where vehicular traffic would interfere with the hygienic condition of the food.

Additionally, the food and beverages displayed for sale must be covered with a clean wire netting or plastic covers that are not in direct contact with the food.

The area would have to be kept clean and tidy in order to prevent the proliferation of insects and rodents. It must also be fumigated from time to time and all waste treated to avoid pest infestation.