In recent years, “street foods” have assumed important cultural, economic and social dimensions. Civil and public health administrators have come to realize that “street foods” have significant economic potential, where food is made available at Regional consultation on affordable prices to the lower and middle-income groups, particularly the urban middle classes. Selling of food by street vendors also generates employment for the unskilled and safe street foods unemployed sections of societies. A comprehensive approach, based on ground realities, to meet the public health challenge posed by street foods’ consumption, is required. A positive attitude and intersectoral coordination among major stakeholders are required for safe street foods. This report on the Regional Consultation on Safe Street Foods Bangkok, Thailand, 20–23 June, 2011 provides information about the definition, content, regulation and monitoring aspects as well as the overall principles and practices of safe street foods, as existing in Asian countries. The report includes national roadmaps for strengthening / promoting safe street foods in Asia as identified by these countries. World Health House MAHIDOL Indraprastha Estate Mahatma Gandhi Marg UNIVERSITY New Delhi-110002, India SEA-NUT-184 Wisdom of the Land SEA-NUT-184 Distribution: General Regional consultation on safe street foods Bangkok, Thailand, 20–23 June, 2011 Organized by World Health Organization Regional Office for South-East Asia Food and Agriculture Organization Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Thailand © World Health Organization 2012 All rights reserved. Requests for publications, or for permission to reproduce or translate WHO publications – whether for sale or for noncommercial distribution – can be obtained from Publishing and Sales, World Health Organization, Regional Office for South- East Asia, Indraprastha Estate, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110 002, India (fax: +91 11 23370197; e-mail:
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