Is indian street food dirty? One of the popular concerns surrounding Indian cuisine is whether or not it’s safe to eat street food due to hygiene practices.
In this article, we’ll take a look at why India’s street food might be considered dirty and what steps you can take to ensure that you enjoy your meals safely.
Is Indian Street Food Dirty?
Street vendors in India typically prepare their items with clean hands and cook with fresh ingredients on a daily basis.
However, there are some areas of concern when it comes to hygiene. For instance, some vendors may not wash their hands properly between making different items or may not have access to reliable sources for running water for cleaning purposes.
Also, some live animals may wander around the food area, adding bacteria that can potentially contaminate the food items.
What You Can Do as a Consumer of Indian Street Food
If you’re looking to enjoy Indian street food without worrying about getting sick afterwards, there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk of becoming ill.
Firstly, always check to see if the vendor has running water available for hand-washing and other cleaning purposes.
You should also make sure that any live animals which may be present are kept away from the cooking area – or even better – ask them to move on before ordering any food from them.
Finally, you could opt for a pre-packaged meal which has been prepared under hygienic conditions rather than taking your chances with an unknown vendor who may not adhere to necessary safety standards.
Bottom Line
Although eatingIndian street food can usually be a safe experience if done carefully – there is always a small risk involved due to potential hygiene practices which could compromise your health if not followed correctly.
As such, take extra precautions such as checking for cleanliness at the vendor’s site and opting for pre-packaged meals whenever possible in order to ensure that your next enjoyable Indian street food experience isn’t spoiled by an upset stomach!
There Are Pros and Cons to Eating Street Food in India
Eating street food in India can be an enjoyable part of your travel experience.
Not only because it’s often a delicious way to savor local flavors but also because it can be an inexpensive part of your diet if you’re conscious about money management during your trip.
On the downside, there is a risk that the food may not have been prepared or stored safely and so may contain bacteria or parasites which can make you ill.
Be Mindful About Where You Eat When Choosing Street Food
When choosing street food in India, it’s important to exercise common sense when making choices about where you dine.
If a place looks unhygienic—for example if it doesn’t appear clean or if there are flies buzzing around.
Then avoid buying anything from that stall as the vendor isn’t taking adequate steps to protect public safety.
Avoid Certain Foods That Have More Risk Than Others
Certain types of Indian foods can harbor more harmful contamination than others, depending on their freshess and methods used for their preparation.
You should avoid foods that are served uncooked (raw vegetables and fruits), those made with raw eggs (like omelettes), or anything containing dairy products that hasn’t been cooked properly at high temperatures (such as milkshakes).
Cold drinks may also carry risk so always opt for bottled beverages rather than fountain drinks whenever possible—and keep in mind that most Indians don’t consume ice cubes prepared from tap water due to contamination concerns.
Observe Hand Washing Habits When Choosing Refillable Jars For Drinks
In some cities you’ll find refillable jars that vendors use to serve dispensed drinks like lassi or coconut water directly from containers used for storage purposes.
However these containers can easily become sources of contamination due to poor hygiene practices unless handled correctly.
Before you decide whether or not to purchase a drink from one such jar, take a look at the vendor’s hand washing practices – does he wash his hands before serving customers?
Or does he just rinse them with some running water? This can help you make an informed decision on whether or not the drink will be safe for consumption given how much contact is involved between the vendor and customer when serving up such drinks directly out of container jars rather than pre-bottled products like soda cans or plastic bottles.
Conclusion
It’s understandable why travelers might be hesitant about eating Indian street food but by using common sense when choosing stalls and being mindful about what foods have higher risks of contamination than others.
Like dishes made with raw eggs – you shouldn’t have any issues enjoying delicious local cuisine during your time in India!
