FSSAI recommends that all licensed food businesses must have at least one trained and certified Food Safety Supervisor, under FoSTaC for every 25 food handlers in each premise.
Who Can be a Trainee?
Section 16 (3) (h) of the FSS Act mandates that the Food Authority shall ensure the training of the Food Business Operator. In this line, FSSAI has developed a training ecosystem that will create trained food handlers who will be called a Food Safety Supervisor.
FOOD HANDLER
Any person who is in business or intends to become involved in the food business, whether as food business operators or employees or otherwise.
STUDENT
Students who have completed/pursuing graduation in food science/nutrition/hospitality/science/pharma/microbiology or other allied fields.
COURSE
17 types of Competence-based certification programs are available under FoSTaC. The duration of each course is 8 to 12 hours spread over 1 to 2 days. Courses have been developed by domain experts and visited by an expert committee of FSSAI. Training manuals are based on general hygiene or manufacturing practices as detailed under schedule 4 of FSS Regulation courses have been divided into the following 3 levels.
BASIC
Basic level certification is meant for the food business. The duration of each course is 4 hours. Course are: –
(1) Street Food Vending,(2) Catering,(3) Manufacturing / Processing,(4) Storage & Transport, and (5) Retail & Distribution
ADVANCE
Advanced courses and certification are for State & Central Licensed food business. The duration of each course is 8 hours. Course are: –
(1) Catering (2) Manufacturing / Processing, (3) Storage & Transport, and (5) Retail & Distribution
SPECIAL
Special courses have been developed for a high-risk food business or The food business which requires special attention. The duration of the special course is 8-12 hours. Spread over 1-2 days. Course are: –
(1) Milk & Milk Products, (2) Meat & Poultry, (3) Fish & SeaFood, (4) Packaged Water, (5) Bakery (Level 1), (6) Bakery (Level 2), (7) Edible Oil and Fat, (8) Health Supplement
Additional training courses including customized courses could be introduced in due course as the need arises. Currently, courses are being offered on face to face mode, while this would be continued, but subject to the availability of credible training partners, some of the courses could be allowed through online mode as well. FSSAI has created training content for the above courses. The same is currently available in English and is being translated in Hindi and 10regional languages.
