Rules and Regulations of Wet Markets in India

A wet market is a local market where you will find a variety of fresh foods such fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and dairy sold daily. The term “wet” comes from the water that is used to clean the floors and keep the products fresh. Many people assume that wet markets are unsafe or dirty, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, but that is not always true.

Wet markets are crucial for millions of people in India as they offer fresh, affordable food and support local livelihoods. But it is necessary to maintain hygiene and food regulations to keep people safe. That is why it is important to understand how they work and the rules that keep them in check. This article will provide a detailed explanation of the rules and regulations of wet markets in India.

What Are Wet Markets in India?

In India, open markets where a variety of fresh foods are produced and available, like fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and fish, are known as wet markets. These markets are usually filled with lively people and full of sounds, smells, and colors of daily life. Wet markets are more traditional, unlike supermarkets, which are modern, air conditioned, and have self-service. In wet markets, the customers need to touch, choose, and even bargain to buy fresh products. The food is often sourced locally and sold by small-scale farmers or vendors, which makes it fresher and affordable for daily shoppers.

Families often visit wet markets every morning or evening as they are a big part of Indian life. These markets play an important role in the informal food supply chain in India by supporting millions of vendors in the rural and semi-urban areas. As these markets are an essential element in India, they do need stronger hygiene and safety practices. This is how the FSSAI can help them maintain hygiene and food safety standards with its guidelines and inspections.

Are Indian Wet Markets Safe?

The safety of Indian wet markets has been a growing concern, especially after the pandemic. People worry about their health safety due to the poor hygiene, unclean meat handling, and the risk of many diseases or illnesses that can spread from animals to humans. These worries are very valid as some wet markets lack proper hygiene and sanitation, and the meat or fish is often handled without proper equipment, such as gloves, cold storage, or regular inspections.

Challenges such as open drains, improper waste disposal, and overcrowding can make it harder to maintain cleanliness. Animals are often slaughtered on site without maintaining proper hygiene guidelines. This can raise the risk of contamination if not done under the FSSAI guidelines and conditions. According to the FSSAI and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), poor handling of raw meat and unclean surroundings can cause serious health risks, which include food-borne illnesses.

But let's be honest that not all wet markets are unsafe in India. Many cities, such as Chennai, Pune, and Kochi, have started modernizing their local markets, which improves waste disposal, sanitation, and vendor training. Some markets often display their FSSAI hygiene rating to help buyers make safer choices. FSSAI provides clear rules for food safety, but there is a need for better enforcement and vendor education. Instead of avoiding wet markets completely, we need to concentrate on improvement and not elimination.

Rules and Regulations for Wet Markets in India

Wet markets in India are an important part of everyday life, and to keep them safe and hygienic, several rules and regulations need to be followed. The following details include the rules and regulations for wet markets in India:

FSSAI Guidelines

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is the national body that sets the food safety and hygiene norms. It provides clear guidelines on how food, especially fish, meat, and dairy, should be handled, stored, and sold. The FSSAI publishes manuals and inspection checklists regularly to improve safety at local markets.

Role of Local Municipal Corporations

• The first regulation comes from the local municipal bodies, such as the municipal corporations or panchayats. They manage the overall market layout, garbage disposal, sanitation, and animal slaughter areas. The local municipal bodies are also responsible for issuing shop licenses and ensuring the fish and meat sections, as well as the drainage system.

Important Laws Governing Wet Markets

• The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act prevents mixing harmful substances in food.
• The Food and Safety Standards Act, 2006, is the main law that ensures all food sold to the public is clean, safe, and labeled properly.
• The Municipal Corporation Acts are specific state acts that have their own rules for licensing, market regulation, and waste control.

Licensing for Meat and Fish Sellers

• Any person or vendor who sells meat, poultry and fish must have a valid FSSAI license or registration. This ensures that the vendor is meeting safety, hygiene, and quality standards. Without this license, the seller will be operating illegally and can be fined or permanently shut down.

FSSAI Hygiene Rating and Registration System

• FSSAI has introduced a hygiene rating system where the food vendors and markets are given stars based on their cleanliness and food safety management. This helps the customer make informed decisions and encourages the vendors to maintain higher standards.

Improvements and Government Initiatives

Over the last year, the government has taken real steps to improve wet markets, which focuses on safety, hygiene, and better infrastructure. These changes aim to protect both the vendors and customers and to modernize the shopping experience without taking away the charm of traditional markets.

• Impact of Swacch Bharat Abhiyan

The Swacch Bharat Abhiyan has pushed local bodies to focus on regular garbage collection, cleaner public toilets near markets, and an awareness about hygiene practices. Market vendors are being trained on how to handle food safely and keep their stalls clean. All of this happened because of this massive national movement that prioritized public health.

• FSSAI’s “Eat Right India” Movement

The Eat Right India movement by FSSAI promotes healthy, safe, and sustainable food practices across India. It encourages vendors in wet markets to follow safe hygiene standards and even awards them for maintaining food safety. The campaign also includes awareness drives, training programs, and hygiene audits to help the vendors improve their practices without losing business.

• Smart City Clean Market Projects

 Many cities have upgraded their local markets with better drainage, clean slaughter zones, lighting, and proper waste management under the Smart Cities Mission. Cities like Bhubaneswar, Pune, and Visakhapatnam have already begun transforming old wet markets into cleaner and well-organized spaces. These projects aim to balance tradition with safety, which keeps the local economy alive while making markets more customer-friendly and hygienic.

What needs to change?

The wet markets are an essential part of everyday life and need a lot of change to make them truly safe and hygienic for both shoppers and sellers. Let us discuss what needs to change for wet markets in India:

• Better Enforcement of Existing Rules

India has good food safety laws under the FSSAI act, but they are not always followed. Many markets continue to function without licenses or regular checks. The local authorities and health officers need to strictly enforce existing rules so that the safety and hygiene of the food are not compromised.

• Regular Inspection and Sanitation

Markets need to be inspected often and ensure daily cleaning, especially the meat and fish sections. The drains should be unclogged, waste managed responsibly, and the stall must be sanitized. Municipal bodies must work closely with the health departments to keep the markets safe and clean.

• Training Vendors in Hygiene Practices

Most of the vendors in wet markets have no formal training in food safety management. They might not have any idea about the importance of clean knives, washing hands, or proper storage. FSSAI’s Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) program offers training modules in local languages to help vendors from various states understand and adopt simple hygiene protocols.

• Consumer Awareness and Reporting

When a customer starts demanding better hygiene, the vendors feel responsible for following good practices. People should also know how to report unhygienic practices through platforms such as the Food Safety Connect App or any local health department.

How Can One Stay Safe When Visiting Wet Markets?

Wet markets are full of life and fresh products, but to stay healthy while shopping there, it is important to take the necessary safety precautions. Here is how you can stay safe while enjoying the benefits of your local market:

• Check Before Buying

Before buying meat, fish, or even vegetables, always make sure to look at the stall’s cleanliness. Ensure that the surfaces are clean, food is covered properly, the waste is disposed of in a bin and not dumped nearby. These small signs can tell you a lot about hygiene and also make sure to check the freshness of the food.

• Importance of Personal Hygiene

Your safety also depends on your hygiene habits. Wash your hands with soap or hand wash after visiting a market. Always carry a sanitizer in your bag, as you will need it when touching baskets, cash, or shared surfaces. If you are carrying reusable bags, wash them regularly to avoid contamination and risk health issues. Make sure you don’t touch your face while shopping, and wash all food products before using them at home.

• Buy from Certified Vendors

If possible, try to buy food products from vendors who display their FSSAI license number. Certified vendors are more likely to follow food safety standards set by the food safety and standards authority of India. Markets that have FSSAI hygiene ratings are usually much safer than those that don’t. You can even check the vendor details or report issues using the FSSAI Food Safety Connect App.

Wet markets are a vital part of India’s food system as they offer fresh and affordable food to millions of people. While there are concerns about hygiene and safety, it is important to understand that wet markets are not inherently unsafe. They just need better management, regulations, cleanliness, and awareness.

With proper laws already in place through the FSSAI and local authorities, the focus should now be on strict enforcement, vendor training, and public education. The shoppers, sellers, and officials must all work together to build markets that are not only traditional and lively but also safe and hygienic for everyone. This written piece provided you with all the necessary information about the rules and regulations of wet markets in India. Contact Online Legal India to get assistance from professional experts in filing an FSSAI registration.