New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) held its 45th Central Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting on November 8, 2024, advising States and Union Territories to strengthen food safety monitoring at popular tourist spots in preparation for the upcoming peak season from November to March. With a high influx of both domestic and international tourists expected, FSSAI encouraged States and UTs to deploy “Food Safety on Wheels” mobile labs at key destinations to facilitate quick inspections and testing.
FSSAI CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao urged Food Commissioners from various states to tighten surveillance on warehouses and storage facilities used by e-commerce platforms. The need for clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for these warehouses and the delivery personnel was also stressed to ensure food quality and safety.
States and UTs were encouraged to conduct additional sampling and use the “Food Safety on Wheels” vans to boost monitoring, especially in high-traffic tourist areas.
The meeting highlighted the importance of training Food Business Operators (FBOs) under the Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) program to maintain food safety and hygiene standards across India. States and UTs were asked to aim to train 2.5 million food handlers by March 2026, including those in university, college, and hostel canteens.
FSSAI also promoted a collaborative approach to food safety, encouraging related ministries and organisations to work together. States and UTs were advised to hold regular Advisory Committee meetings at the state and district levels to support coordinated action.
As part of the Eat Right India campaign, FSSAI stressed the role of public awareness in encouraging healthier eating choices. States were advised to boost food safety awareness through outreach activities, including fairs, walkathons, and street plays (Nukkad Nataks).
Over 60 officials participated in the meeting, including Commissioners of Food Safety, representatives from States and UTs, senior FSSAI officials, and members from the food industry, consumer groups, agriculture sector, laboratories, and research institutions.
BI Bureau
