Fourteenth International Conference on Food Studies

Abstract

This study addresses the critical public health concern of street food, stressing the rising instances of foodborne illnesses linked to unhygienic food preparation and vending practices. With the absence of a proper legal framework, street food operates under an informal mechanism, highlighting the failure of various government and non-government initiatives over the past two decades. The study primarily focuses on the legal and regulatory landscape of street food safety in Bangladesh and identifies the inefficacy of existing laws and rules as the primary obstacle to ensuring the safety and hygiene of street food. Consequently, the research thoroughly examines current legal frameworks and conducts a comparative analysis involving India, Thailand, and New York City, USA, aiming to strengthen the existing regulatory structure for ensuring safe street food in Bangladesh. Following a comprehensive analysis, the study contends that Bangladesh can draw lessons from successful street food regulations in both developing and developed countries. Importantly, it asserts that the solution lies not in creating new laws but in judiciously modifying the existing legal framework.