Mid-day meal caterers get trained on food safety

Team B&C/ NT

In a bid to provide wholesome meals to school students, a food safety supervisors training under the Food Safety Training and Certification (FoStaC) scheme, of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was conducted on April 17. The training supported by the CII, was by the Goa FDA in collaboration with Vivanta by Taj, Panaji. The programme and the training was specifically for operators of mid-day meals. In all representatives of 31 self help groups involved in preparing mid-day meals attended the training.

Jyoti Sardesai, director FDA and Commissioner Food Safety inaugurated the programme in the presence of Jaikanth Shroff, general manager Vivanta by Taj. Sardesai, pointed out that, as per the FSSAI there needs to be one food safety supervisor per 25 employees trained under the FoStac scheme for all the licensed food operators.

Urging food operators from various sectors are requested to get themselves enrolled for the mandatory training, she said that, the Directorate would continue to organise such programs in association with the various partners. It was pointed out that, the training has to be complied within two years.

This is the second training for mid-day meal operators organised by the FDA as earlier in the month of March, a similar program was organised in association with the Taj where 30 operators were trained. The training is a blend   of classroom session, audio-visuals, group activity, kitchen visit and culminated in a written exam. The training was imparted by Dhoroty Pereira, quality manager, Taj Vivanta and Richard Noronha, designated officer, North Goa, FDA.

“The objective of the training is to ensure that food operators are aware of the provisions of the FSSA 2006 and also to pick up tips on hygienic handling of the food,” added Sardesai.