As advised by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), Doctors’ Choice, a reputable brand in Eastern India’s cooking oil market, launched a comprehensive Food Safety & Hygiene Initiative for street food vendors throughout the city in partnership with Bharat Chamber of Commerce as the training partner. This collaborative effort demonstrates a solid alliance between business, academia, and local government to improve community-based food safety procedures in the city.

The logo of the initiative, along with the mascot and hygiene apron were unveiled by  Shri Haripada Bhowmik, Food Historian, Shri Dhinal Brahmbhatt, Chief Business Officer, Doctors’ Choice & Shri Shivam Agarwal, Head – Marketing & Strategy, Doctors’ Choice, Shri Shiladitya Chaudhury, Foodpreneur & Founder-Director, Oudh 1590, Chapter 2 & Chaudhury & Co., Ms Rudrani Mitra, Assistant Secretary & Coordinator, FOSTAC Programme, Bharat Chamber of Commerce and Mr Dominic Lee Pou, Managing Director, Pou Chong Food Products.

As advised by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), Doctors’ Choice, a reputable brand in Eastern India’s cooking oil market, today launched a comprehensive Food Safety & Hygiene Initiative for street food vendors throughout the city in partnership with Bharat Chamber of Commerce as the training partner. This collaborative effort demonstrates a solid alliance between business, academia, and local government to improve community-based food safety procedures in the city.

The program recognized the proactive efforts of the organizations in starting a program that supports both vendor welfare and consumer safety and emphasized the significance of structured hygiene interventions in strengthening public health frameworks throughout the city.

These workshops are intended to give vendors practical, hands-on hygiene solutions appropriate for busy, resource-constrained settings. Safe food handling, personal hygiene, efficient handwashing methods, identifying hygiene gaps, waste management, and adherence to pertinent food safety regulations will all be covered in training modules. The goal is to reduce risks to food safety, protect public health, and encourage long-term compliance without upsetting livelihoods.

The project’s goal is to convert established food safety and hospitality standards into straightforward, useful, and simple procedures that street food vendors can incorporate into their everyday business operations. To improve regulatory compliance, boost consumer confidence, and support the long-term sustainability of Kolkata’s street food ecosystem, structured training at the grassroots level is crucial. The program seeks to develop a scalable model that is in line with public health priorities and economic resilience while promoting safer and more responsible eating habits throughout the city by fusing hands-on learning with practical application.

In addition to a certificate upon successful completion of the workshop, participants will receive a hygiene kit that includes protective gloves, caps, aprons, hand sanitizer, informational hygiene guidelines, and essential food safety tools.

By promoting safe and compliant food preparation standards at the local level, the initiative supports more general public health and civic goals. By integrating awareness, community involvement, and brand-led outreach, Doctors’ Choice upholds its position as a responsible partner in Kolkata’s changing food scene in addition to being an edible oil brand.

Priyanka Dutta