Stressing that health and safety of pilgrims remain the top priority, TTD Additional Executive Officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary on Tuesday called upon hoteliers and food vendors in Tirumala to adopt hygienic food-handling practices and undertake regular food safety audits as per prescribed norms.

A three-day training programme for street food vendors, jointly organised by the TTD Health Department, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Nestle India, commenced at the SV Museum Auditorium in Tirumala. The programme covers 325 food establishments employing around 1,300 workers atop the hill town.

Addressing the participants, Mr. Chowdary appreciated Nestle India for conducting the training programme under its CSR initiative and noted that the company had chosen Tirumala as the starting point for its training activities in the State.

He said hygienic food practices would add value to the spiritual centre and noted that strict hygiene standards are being followed in the distribution of annaprasadam. He urged private eateries to adhere to the same standards and suggested that such training programmes be conducted once every six months to enhance awareness among hoteliers and street food vendors.

Mr. Chowdary also stressed the need for training to cover statutory procedures and practical exercises to reinforce safe food-handling practices.

Later, the Additional EO distributed safety kits, including caps, gloves, aprons and soaps, to the participants.

Deputy EO (Health) Soman Narayana, Health Officer Dr Sudha Rani, Quality Manager Lakshmi Narayana Reddy, Nestle India Corporate Affairs Manager Waseem Ahmed, health department officials, hoteliers and street food vendors were present.