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FSSAI protects public health and well-being, while also strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of the food industry. However, challenges in this domain are constantly shifting due to factors like globalization, urbanization, climate shifts, and new pathogens. This necessitates ongoing improvement and innovation in food safety practices and regulations.
To meet this crucial need, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has rolled out the Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) program, a comprehensive training and certification network for food businesses across the entire food value chain. FoSTaC aspires to develop a pool of highly trained and certified food safety supervisors (FSS) who can uphold dedication to food safety regulations and good hygiene and manufacturing practices within their respective food businesses.
The main objectives of FoSTaC:
There are three levels of FoSTaC courses: basic, advanced, and special. The eligibility criteria for trainees to apply for these courses are as follows:
FoSTaC equips food businesses of all sizes and specializations with 17 targeted courses. Spanning across three competency levels - Basic, Advanced, and Special - these courses pack a punch of knowledge in a concise 8-12 hours, delivered over 1-2 days.
Expertly crafted by domain specialists, the modules delve into either specific manufacturing practices or general hygiene principles outlined in Schedule 4 of the FSS regulation. This ensures your training directly applies to your food business operations.
FoSTaC prioritizes hands-on learning. Training for food safety supervisors is conducted through engaging face-to-face sessions. FSSAI further supports your journey by providing comprehensive training content in English and various regional languages.
| Sl. No. | FoSTaC Course | Duration | Optional/Mandatory | Applicable Food Business |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Level 1 (Manufacturing) | 4 hours | Recommended | All small manufacturing units |
| 2 | Level 2 (Manufacturing) | 8 hours | Mandatory | All food processing units (except milk, health supplements, & small slaughterhouses) |
| 3 | Milk & Milk Products | 12 hours | Mandatory | All milk products & milk processing units |
| 4 | Meats & Poultry | 12 hours | Mandatory | All poultry & meat processing units (except small slaughterhouses) |
| 5 | Seafood & Fish | 8 hours | Mandatory | All seafood & fish processing units |
| 6 | Health Supplements | 8 hours | Mandatory | All health nutraceuticals & supplements processing units |
| 7 | Level 1 (Bakeries) | 4 hours | Recommended | Small scale bakery processing units |
| 8 | Level 2 (Bakeries) | 8 hours | Optional | All bakery processing units |
| 9 | Edible Oil & Fats | 8 hours | Optional | All fats & vegetable oils processing units |
| 10 | Water & Water-Based Beverages | 8 hours | Optional | All water & water-based beverages processing units |
| 11 | Level 1 (Retail) | 8 hours | Recommended | All types of small retail shops |
| 12 | Level 2 (Retail) | 8 hours | Mandatory | All wholesalers & retailers |
| 13 | Level 1 (Transport & Storage) | 8 hours | Recommended | All types of small transport & storage units |
| 14 | Level 2 (Transport & Storage) | 8 hours | Mandatory | All food transport & storage units |
| 15 | Level 1 (Catering) | 8 hours | Recommended | All types of small catering units |
| 16 | Level 2 (Catering) | 8 hours | Mandatory | All catering establishments (hotels, restaurants, caterers, Dhabas, flight catering, etc.) |
| 17 | Street Food Vendors | 4 hours | Recommended | All street food vendors |
Steps to Register for the FOSTAC Program Under FSSAI
Register on the Portal:
Submit Details:
Enroll in Courses:
Download Certificate:
Check Eligibility:
Submit Application:
Receive Credentials:
Certificate Generation:
Submit Resume:
Verification and Workshops:
Assessment:
Receive Login Credentials:
FoSTaC is a program that aims to train and certify food safety supervisors across the food value chain in India. Some of the benefits of FoSTaC are:
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The FoSTaC certification is valid for a certain period, typically a few years. After this period, you might need to undergo a refresher course or recertification. The exact duration and renewal process can be confirmed on the official FoSTaC website or by contacting FSSAI directly.
FoSTaC provides comprehensive training content in English and various regional languages to cater to a diverse audience across India.
Yes, depending on your role and the nature of your food business, you can attend multiple FoSTaC courses to enhance your knowledge and skills in various areas of food safety.
To successfully complete a FoSTaC course, you generally need to score more than 80% in the online assessment at the end of the training session.
Every Food Business Operator (FBO) must have a Food Safety Supervisor trained under the FoSTaC Training Program.
A Food Handler is anyone who directly manages packaged or unpackaged food, food equipment, utensils, or food contact surfaces and must adhere to food hygiene standards.
The FoSTaC certificate is valid for 2 years. Earlier, it was valid for a lifetime. However, this provision has been revoked, and the certificate is valid only for 2 years from the date of issuing the certificate.
