Street food is a delightful and integral part of many cultures, offering unique culinary experiences that are often unparalleled. Bangladesh's vibrant street food scene is a feast for the senses, featuring delicious snacks and meals at every corner, from savory fuchka to sweet jilapi. These culinary delights are a must-try for any visitor. However, it is crucial to be mindful of potential health risks associated with street food, especially for those with sensitive stomachs. Here is how you can savor street food safely in Bangladesh. Tips for Eating Street Food Safely Check Reviews In the digital age, many food bloggers and reviewers provide insights into the quality and safety of street food vendors. Before buying food from a particular roadside stall, check online reviews. These reviews often highlight the hygiene practices of the vendors and the overall quality of the food. This can be an invaluable resource for making informed decisions about where to eat. Inspect the Vendor's Cleanliness Before deciding to purchase street food, take a moment to observe the vendor's cleanliness. Check if their hands are clean and if they use gloves or tongs when handling food. A vendor who maintains personal hygiene is likely to adhere to better food safety practices, reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses. The way a vendor handles food is a good indicator of their overall hygiene standards. Read more: Fridge Smells Bad? Reasons and How to Get Rid of It Assess the Cleanliness of the Stall The overall cleanliness of the food stall is another critical factor. Look for vendors who keep their cooking area and utensils clean and avoid those with overflowing bins or dirty utensils. A clean environment signifies good hygiene practices. Stalls that are well-organized and tidy are more likely to follow safe food handling practices, which helps in minimizing the risk of contamination. Go for Freshly Cooked Food Whenever possible, choose food that is cooked right in front of you. Freshly prepared foods are delicious and less likely to be at risk of spoilage. Foods that are left out for long periods can harbor bacteria, increasing the risk of illness. Opting for freshly cooked items ensures that you are consuming food that is less likely to have been contaminated. Observe Cooking Practices Watch how the food is being cooked. Ensure that hot foods are served hot and cold foods are served cold. Proper cooking temperatures are crucial for killing harmful bacteria. Additionally, observe if the vendor avoids cross-contamination by handling raw and cooked foods separately. These practices are vital for maintaining food safety. Read more: Urban Agriculture: Top 10 Monsoon Vegetables to Grow in Bangladesh Choose Busy Vendors Usually, a street food stall becomes popular for serving fresh and tasty foods. Therefore, it is best to opt for stalls with a high customer turnover. A busy vendor is often a sign of good food quality and safety. High turnover means that the food is being sold quickly, reducing the chances of it sitting out and becoming contaminated. Avoid Foods Washed with Tap Water In many places, tap water is not safe for consumption. Avoid eating foods that are washed with tap water, such as salads and raw vegetables. Contaminated water can carry harmful pathogens that lead to foodborne illnesses. It is suggested to opt for foods that do not require washing or are washed with safe water.

Japan suspended use of about 1.63 million doses of Moderna vaccine Thursday after contamination was found in unused vials, raising concern of a supply shortage as the country tries to accelerate vaccinations amid a COVID-19 surge. The health ministry said contamination was reported from multiple vaccination sites. Some doses might have been administered, but no adverse health effects have been reported so far, officials said. Read: Japan to further expand virus emergency areas as cases surge Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., a Japanese drugmaker in charge of sales and distribution of the vaccine in Japan, said it decided to suspend use of doses manufactured in the same production line as a safety precaution. It asked Moderna to conduct an emergency investigation and told medical institutions and organizers to stop using the vaccine produced in Spain and shared the production numbers that may be affected. The health ministry and Takeda did not give details on the type of contamination or if the doses in question may have been distributed outside Japan. Read:Japan to widen virus emergency after record spike amid Games The Moderna vaccine problem came just as Japan struggles with surging infections, with daily new cases hitting new highs in many parts of the country and severely straining the health care system. Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters the government and Takeda are discussing ways to minimize the impact on Japan’s vaccination progress. “We will do utmost in order to avoid any impact on vaccination progress, especially at worksites and large-scale centers,” Kato said. Read:Tropical storm to bring rain, wind, waves to northeast Japan Japan relies entirely on foreign-developed vaccines by Moderna, as well as Pfizer Inc. and AstraZeneca. Moderna has been since mid-June at large-scale centers and workplace inoculations and has helped speed up Japan’s rollout. About 43% of the Japanese population have been fully vaccinated, with daily doses of about 1 million.