The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently established the National Training Center for Food Safety in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh to improve knowledge and skills in the field of food safety and standards, with an emphasis on cracking down on food adulteration. At the same time, FSSAI also launched an app to provide street food vendors with food safety education.

The National Training Center of FSSAI is intended to provide structured instruction, practice, and learning experiences to bridge the gap between existing knowledge or skills and desired knowledge or skills in the field of food safety and standards. Recognizing the importance of continuous skill upgrading for officials, food business operators, and other stakeholders, FSSAI has established the National Training Center to offer various training programs. The dedicated center fills a void in professional development and education that previously existed, ensuring the development of a future-ready workforce committed to ensuring safe and wholesome food for the citizens of India.

Regarding the challenge posed by food adulteration in India, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya, Ph.D. shared that FSSAI also recently formed a team along with state authorities to crack down on those who indulge in malpractices. “There will be no tolerance to food adulteration in the country,” he stressed. He stated that large scale testing would be carried out across the country and action would be taken as per Food Safety and Standards (Act 2006) against those found guilty.

Additionally, FSSAI unveiled the Food Safety and Certification (FoSTaC) app that contains educational and training modules about food safety guidelines for street vendors, such as proper food handling, storage, and hygiene practices, and other topics.