The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi, has launched the FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification) programme aimed at training Food Business Operators (FBOs) involved in the manufacturing, distribution, storage, retail, and wholesale of food products intended for human consumption. As part of this initiative, FBOs are provided with essential training to ensure the maintenance of food safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards. Additionally, cooks and helpers engaged in preparing and serving meals under the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) programme are also required to undergo training.
The Food Safety Administration of the Health Department, U.T. Chandigarh, has been appointed as a FoSTaC Training Partner by FSSAI, and the Designated Officer has been certified as a FoSTaC trainer. This will enable them to offer free training under the FoSTaC Basic Catering Programme to Food Business Operators.
During the 5th State Level Advisory Committee for Safe Food & Healthy Diets, chaired by Sh. Ajay Chagti, IAS, Secretary Health-cum-Commissioner Food Safety, it was decided that the Food Safety Administration of U.T. Chandigarh would train and certify all 900 MDM workers involved in food preparation and serving in government schools across Chandigarh, under the FoSTaC programme initiated by FSSAI, Government of India.
On January 16, 2023, the first batch of 100 MDM workers received training at the Auditorium of the Government Multispecialty Hospital, Sector-16, Chandigarh. The training programme was inaugurated by Dr. Suman Singh, Director of Health & Family Welfare, U.T. Chandigarh. Dr. Suman Singh praised the efforts of the Food Safety Department and encouraged participants to fully utilize the knowledge gained from the training, applying it diligently in their day-to-day work to ensure the highest standards of food safety.
