FoSTaC Certificate

FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification) is an initiative by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to enhance food safety and hygiene standards nationwide. The program is designed to train and certify food handlers in various food industry sectors, ensuring they possess the necessary knowledge and skills to maintain food safety and quality 

According to Section 16 (3) (h) of the Food Safety & Standard Act, the Food Authority must make sure that Food Business Operators receive training. FSSAI has established a training system that will produce certified food handlers referred to as Food Safety Supervisors. Each Food Service Industry must have a minimum of one Food Safety Supervisor who is trained and certified for every 25 employees. Before officially making this a requirement, FSSAI has established a strong Training Ecosystem known as Food Safety Training & Certification (FoSTaC). There are two levels of Training under the FoSTaC, which are basic and advanced. Basic level training is designed for small businesses, while advanced level training is tailored for larger corporations with more intricate systems. Individuals in business or aspiring to enter the food industry, as well as students and professionals in the food sector, are eligible to become certified Food Safety Supervisor.

How To get FoSTaC Certificate?

By following these steps, you can obtain a FoSTaC certificate and ensure compliance with food safety standards, thereby contributing to safer food handling and processing practices in your business.

• Identify the appropriate FoSTaC course for your role.
• Register for the course online through the FoSTaC portal.
• Choose an FSSAI-accredited training partner.
• Attend the training session (classroom, online, or on-site).
• Complete and pass the assessment.
• Receive your FoSTaC certificate from FSSAI.
• Renew your certification periodically through re-certification courses.

• Improve Food Safety and Hygiene: Educate food handlers about the importance of maintaining high standards of food safety and hygiene and Minimize the risk of foodborne contamination.
• Standardized Training: Provide a uniform and standardized training program for food handlers across different sectors of the food industry and ensure its consistency in the implementation of food safety practices.
• Compliance with Regulations: Assists food businesses in complying with the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act 2006 and facilitates the creation of a safe food supply chain for production to consumption.

• Wide Range of Courses: Offers more than 20 types of courses, catering to different levels of food handlers, from basic food safety to advanced levels, and courses are tailored for various segments of the food industry including manufacturing
• Certification Level: Courses are divided into three levels: Basic, Advanced, and Special. Basic is for frontline workers and food handlers. The Advanced Level is for supervisors and managers, and the special level is for specific roles or sectors requiring specialized knowledge
• Training Partners: FSSAI has partnered with numerous training providers and organizations to deliver FoSTaC courses and is accredited by FSSAI to ensure the quality and consistency of training.
• Mode of Delivery: Courses are delivered through both classroom-based and online training sessions which emphasis on practical training and real-life scenario to enhance learning outcomes.
• Certifications: Participants receive a certificate upon successful completion of the training and assessment and this certification is recognized by FSSAI and is valid for a specified period, after which re-certification may be required.

• Enhanced Food Safety culture: Promotes a culture of food safety within organizations and among food handlers which encourages continuous improvement and adherence to best practices in food safety.
• Regulatory Compliance: It helps businesses comply with national food safety standards and regulations which reduces the risk of regulatory actions and penalties due to non-compliance
• Consumer Confidence: Increases consumer trust in the safety and quality of food products which contributes to the overall public health and well-being advancement.
• Implementation and Participation: Food businesses are encouraged to nominate their employees for FoSTaC training. FSSAI mandates that certain categories of food businesses must be trained and certified food safety supervisors.
• Skilled Workforce: Develops a skilled workforce knowledgeable in food safety and hygiene practices, which enhances the employability and professional development of food handlers.

There are 17 different certification programs based on Competence that can be found within FoSTaC. Each course lasts between 8 and 12 hours and is conducted over 1 to 2 days. The course was created by experts in the field and reviewed by a committee of FSSAI experts. Training manuals are created according to the guidelines for general hygiene or manufacturing practices listed in schedule 4 of the FSS Regulation, with courses being categorized into three levels.

Food Safety Courses Under FoSTaC:

The training partner’s duties include the following:

• Sign up as a training partner on the FoSTaC portal. 
• Identification of a trainer based on eligibility requirements and planning a training trainer program (TOT) in collaboration with FSSAI. 
• Training participants are being mobilized
• Equipping the training center with suitable facilities.
• Post calendar and venture information on the portal. 
• Assessment and submission of the outcome on the platform to produce the certificate.

Aadhar card, mobile number, and email address are required for registering for FSSAI/FoSTaC Training.

The eligibility criteria needed for this training are listed below:

A person who fulfills the requirements for training is eligible to register for the course. Nevertheless, upon finishing the training and assessment for their chosen course, the trainees will receive a ‘’Food Safety Supervisor’s Certificate “from FSSAI and the document should be signed by the authorized person.

Basic

Enrol with six months of experience in the appropriate field. Finished or currently enrolled in a graduate program in fields to food science, nutrition, hospitality, or other related fields, Or completed or currently in the final year of undergraduate studies in the same studies.

Advance

Science graduate with 1 year of experience as a supervisor in the relevant field or science graduate with 2 years of experience as a supervisor in the relevant field. Individuals planning to start a career in the food industry, including students, are welcome to participate in training sessions. If they are in their last year of studying food science/ nutrition/ hospitality or related fields Or have finished or are in their final year of studying food science/ nutrition/hospitality or related fields with at least 6 weeks of industrial training/experience in the relevant sector.

To sum up, FoSTaC is a strong positive influence in India's food industry. By fostering a environment focused on food safety and equipping people with knowledge, it sets the stage for a healthier future for everyone. As the program develops further and adjusts, its influence on food safety and public health will undoubtedly increase, guaranteeing that each bite is a manifestation of safety and wellness.

Corpseed offers to get the FOSTAC FSSAI Training Certificate done which is a crucial move for people working in the food sector to improve their understanding, abilities, and adherence to food safety rules. Through receiving thorough training and getting certified, people are able to help uphold elevated levels of food safety, cleanliness, and consumer trust within the field. Remain knowledgeable, maintain certification, and begin a prosperous career in the food industry through FOSTAC training certification.