Sweet but Strict: Prayagraj’s Food Safety Department Mandates Feedback App for All Sweet Shops
In a move aimed at ensuring better hygiene, transparency, and consumer satisfaction, the Food Safety Department in Prayagraj has issued a significant directive — all sweet shops in the city must now mandatorily use a customer feedback app. This step comes in response to rising concerns about food quality and cleanliness during festive seasons and aims to keep a tighter check on sweet manufacturers and vendors.
As Prayagraj, like much of India, gears up for its festival-packed months, this tech-driven initiative is being hailed as a bold and much-needed step toward transforming how traditional food establishments maintain standards.
What Is the Feedback App Initiative All About?
The feedback app is part of a broader campaign launched by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to monitor and improve hygiene in food establishments across the country. The app allows customers to rate their experience at sweet shops based on:
- Cleanliness
- Staff behavior
- Packaging
- Taste
- Product freshness
- Overall hygiene standards
Every rating is visible to food safety authorities in real-time, enabling quick action against errant shops while rewarding those that maintain high standards.
Why Sweet Shops Are Under the Scanner
Sweet shops, especially during festivals like Raksha Bandhan, Diwali, and Holi, see a surge in demand. This often leads to compromises in hygiene, adulteration, and use of low-quality ingredients. From synthetic coloring to non-edible silver foils, there have been several reported cases of unsafe sweets being sold.
By mandating the feedback app, officials hope to empower customers to report their experience directly, creating an ecosystem of accountability.
Scope of Implementation in Prayagraj
The Food Safety Department has clearly outlined that:
- Every licensed and registered sweet shop must display a QR code for the feedback app at a visible location.
- Shop owners are expected to educate their staff and customers on how to use the app.
- Non-compliance may lead to penalties, suspension of license, or even temporary closure during high-traffic festive periods.
- Surprise inspections will be conducted, and feedback scores will influence shop ratings in government hygiene audits.
Public Reaction: Sweet Sellers & Customers Weigh In
Sweet Shop Owners:
Some shopkeepers welcomed the decision, seeing it as a chance to build trust with customers and showcase their commitment to quality. Others expressed concerns about technical know-how and feared negative feedback being misused.
“We have nothing to hide. If the app helps us grow and maintain better relations with our customers, why not?”
— Ramesh Gupta, Owner, Kashi Mishthan Bhandar
Customers:
Most consumers hailed the initiative as empowering and timely, especially in an age where foodborne illnesses are a growing concern.
“Finally, we have a say in how our food is being prepared. I think it’s a great idea!”
— Neha Verma, Local Resident
Training & Awareness Campaigns Launched
To ensure smooth implementation, the Food Safety Department has also begun training sessions for sweet shop owners, focusing on:
- How to register with the app
- Ways to maintain FSSAI hygiene norms
- Importance of handling customer feedback professionally
Officials will also be conducting awareness drives among consumers, particularly in marketplaces and sweet shop clusters like Chowk, Civil Lines, and Katra, where footfall is highest.
Expected Outcomes of the Initiative
- Improved hygiene and safety standards
- Increased accountability among vendors
- Real-time monitoring of customer satisfaction
- Reduction in food adulteration complaints
- Empowered consumer base
This initiative also aligns with the broader vision of Digital India by integrating technology with traditional businesses for public welfare.
A Sweeter Tomorrow with Safer Sweets
As Prayagraj takes this tech-savvy step toward food safety, the message is loud and clear: there’s no room for compromise when it comes to what we eat. The mandatory feedback app is not just a tool — it’s a voice for the consumer and a mirror for the vendor.
Whether you’re buying gulab jamuns, barfis, or laddoos, your opinion now counts — quite literally.
Because in Prayagraj, sweets must not only taste good — they must be safe too.
So next time you visit your favorite mithai shop, scan that QR code and let your feedback make a difference.
