FOSTAC or Food Safety Training and Certification is a training programme of Food Safety & Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) initiated with the object of raising awareness on Food Safety & Standards among the food business operators. As per the provisions under FSSAI Act, it is mandatory for all the food business operators to have trained and certified an individual in their business premises to ensure food safety. In this article, we look at the Food Safety Training and Certification (FOSTAC) in detail.
The objectives of the FOSTAC are listed below:
• To bring behavioural change and inculcating a culture of food safety across the country.
• To create an improved environment of self-compliance to food safety and standards.
• If the individual is working in the food business, then the six months of experience in the relevant sector (depending upon the course selected) is required.
• Any students pursuing a final year of under graduation in nutrition, hospitality, food science or other allied fields is also eligible to apply for this basic level course
• Any Graduates in science with one year of experience in a supervisory role in the relevant sector is eligible to apply for the advanced level course.
• Any Graduates in non-science discipline with two years of experience in a supervisory role in the relevant sector can attend the advanced level.
• Any students pursuing a final year of under graduation in nutrition, hospitality, food science or other allied fields is also eligible to apply for this advanced-level course.
• Any Graduates in science with one year of experience in a supervisory role in the relevant sector is eligible to apply for the special course.
• Any Graduates in non-science discipline with two years of experience in a supervisory role in the particular sector can attend the special course.
Details of FOSTAC Courses
Level 2 (Manufacturing)- Food Safety Supervisor
Duration – 8 hours per day
Mandatory/Optional – Mandatory for all manufacturing units other than milk and milk product processing units and health supplements and nutraceuticals.
Kind of Business for which applicable – All Food processing units other than milk and milk product processing units and health supplements and nutraceuticals.
Level 1 (Manufacturing) – Food Safety Supervisor
Duration – 04 hours per day
Mandatory/Optional – Recommended for small manufacturing units
Kind of Business for which applicable – For all types of small manufacturing units.
Milk and Milk Product- Food Safety Supervisor
Duration – 12 hours per day
Mandatory/Optional – Mandatory for milk and milk product processing units
Kind of Business for which applicable – Food processing units – milk and milk products
Meats and Poultry- Food safety supervisor
Duration – 12 hours per day
Mandatory/Optional – Mandatory for meat and poultry processing units
Kind of Business for which applicable – Food processing units – Meats and poultry, excluding small slaughterhouses.
Fish and Seafood- Food Safety Supervisor
Duration – 8 hours per day
Mandatory/Optional – Mandatory for fish and sea processing units.
Kind of Business for which applicable – Food processing units – Fish and other seafood
Health Supplements- Food Safety Supervisor
Duration – 8 hours per day
Mandatory/Optional – Mandatory for health supplements units.
Kind of Business for which applicable – Food processing units – Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals.
Level 2 (Bakery) – Food Safety Supervisor
Duration – 8 hours per day
Mandatory/Optional – Optional for bakery units
Kind of Business for which applicable – Food processing units – Bakery
Level 1 (Bakery) – Food Safety Supervisor
Duration – 4 hours per day
Mandatory/Optional – Recommended for small bakery units.
Kind of Business for which applicable – Small Scale Food processing units – Bakery.
Edible oil and Fats- Food Safety Supervisor
Duration – 8 hours per day
Mandatory/Optional – Optional for edible oil and fat manufacturing units.
Kind of Business for which applicable – Food processing units – Vegetable oil and fats.
Water and water-based beverages – Food Safety Supervisor
Duration – 8 hours per day
Mandatory/Optional – Optional for processing units – Water and water-based beverages.
Kind of Business for which applicable – Food processing units – Water and water-based beverages
Level 2 (Retail) – Food Safety Supervisor
Duration – 8 hours per day
Mandatory/Optional – Mandatory for retail units.
Kind of Business for which applicable – Retailers and Wholesalers
Level 1(Retail and Distribution) – Food Safety Supervisor
Duration – 8 hours per day
Mandatory/Optional – Recommended for small units
Kind of Business for which applicable – For all type of small retail shop
Level 2 (Storage and Transport) – Food Safety Supervisor
Duration – 8 hours per day
Mandatory/Optional – Mandatory for storage and transport units
Kind of Business for which applicable – Food storage and transporters
Level 1( Storage and Transport) – Food Safety Supervisor
Duration – 8 hours per day
Mandatory/Optional – Recommended for small units
Kind of Business for which applicable – For all type of small storage and transport unit
Level 2 (Catering) – Food Safety Supervisor
Duration – 8 hours per day
Mandatory/Optional – Mandatory for catering units
Kind of Business for which applicable -Catering establishments including restaurants, hotels, Dhaba’s, caterer’s, rail and flight catering, canteens etc.
Level 1 (Catering) – Food Safety Supervisor
Duration – 8 hours per day
Mandatory/Optional – Mandatory for small catering units
Kind of Business for which applicable – For all type of small catering units
Street Food Vendor
Duration – 4 hours per day
Mandatory/Optional – Recommended for Street Food Vendors