FSSAI introduced the Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) programme in 2017 to enhance awareness and promote safe food practices
In an attempt to promote safe food practices in the country, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has trained over three lakh street food vendors under the training and certification programme, the Centre told parliament.
In a written reply in Lok Sabha, the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, highlighted that to enhance awareness and promote safe food practices among food handlers, including street food vendors, FSSAI introduced the Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) programme in 2017. This initiative offers training in food safety and standards for individuals engaged in the food business, whether as food business operators or employees.
“Under FoSTaC, a specialised awareness course titled street food vending has been developed. Till now, more than three lakh street food vendors across the country have been trained through this programme,” Jadhav added.
FSSAI has designed the eat right street food hub certification programme to educate people about food safety and hygiene at food streets. It is a cluster-based initiative, where food vendors are educated to maintain the food safety standards. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials are provided to display, enhancing visibility, building consumer trust, and encouraging one and all to eat safe and hygienic. There are 405 eat right street food hubs certified under eat right India.
Jadhav emphasised that to extend outreach for on-the-spot food testing and dissemination of food safety information in remote areas, FSSAI has introduced Mobile Food Testing Laboratories (MFTLs) to all the States and union territories (UTs).
