Dhaka’s street food vendors are preparing to enter a formal registration system from November 1, hoping it will give their businesses legal recognition and protection from harassment.
But many fear that a government certificate will do little to stop the extortion and eviction threats they face on the streets.
“If local leaders still demand money after we get licences, those licences will have no value,” said Mohammad Helal, 21, who sells fruit juice in Gulistan.
His concern reflects the uncertainty surrounding the Bangladesh Safe Food Authority’s (BFSA) decision to bring street food sellers and other small food businesses under a mandatory registration system.
Under the Safe Food (Registration and Licence) Regulations, 2026, issued on July 16, registration will be required for 16 categories of food businesses, including vendors selling pitha, puri, piyaju, jhalmuri and fruit juice.
The BFSA will begin accepting applications on November 1, with first-time registration free of charge.
For many vendors, the move offers the prospect of greater recognition in a sector where livelihoods often depend on informal arrangements.
Mohammad Abul Hasan, 30, who sells jhalmuri and piyaju, said he hoped registration would help protect traders from arbitrary eviction and illegal payments.
“If we follow whatever the government decides, our business will become legitimate. That will end the fear of eviction, and the practice of illegal extortion may also stop,” he said.
Zahirul Islam, a 24-year-old puri seller in Panthapath, also welcomed the decision, saying traders should comply with government regulations.
But whether registration will provide any protection against eviction or extortion remains unclear.
A certificate, but what protection?
Street vendors say the authorities must address the conditions under which they operate, rather than simply issue registration documents.
Jahangir Mia, a fruit seller at Karwan Bazar, said roadside food businesses provide affordable options for ordinary consumers.
“Food that costs Tk40 on the street may cost Tk60 to Tk80 in a market,” he said, adding that designated spaces should be provided so vendors can operate without obstructing pedestrians.
Another hawker, speaking anonymously, questioned whether the authorities could enforce registration limits.
He cited an instance in which only 20 licences had been issued but around 2,000 hawkers were operating in the area.
“Without strict control, issuing licences will achieve nothing,” he said.
The concerns go beyond extortion. Vendors also want clarity about the documents required, future renewal fees and possible penalties for non-compliance.
BFSA promises no harassment
BFSA Chairman Md Safiqul Islam said registration would help the authority identify food businesses, bring greater discipline to their operations and arrange training where necessary.
He said monitoring was essential to prevent public health risks associated with unsafe food preparation and handling.
The chairman assured traders that they would not be harassed under the new system.
The registration requirement extends beyond street vendors to restaurants, bakeries, sweet shops, caterers, packaged food producers, dairy businesses, grocery wholesalers and food warehouses.
Certain specialised businesses will also need paid licences in addition to registration.
However, Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association Secretary General Imran Hasan criticised the introduction of another regulatory process alongside existing licensing requirements.
He warned that overlapping rules could expose traders to additional harassment and fines.
Imran said the authorities should have consulted stakeholders and developed an integrated system instead.
For small vendors, the immediate concern is more practical: whether they can complete the registration process without complicated paperwork or additional expenses.
Food safety advocates and other observers have called for simplified applications, clear instructions and hygiene training for traders.