Food Safety mitra

  • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) inaugurated the Food Safety Mitra scheme on October 16, 2019. The scheme intends to assist small and medium-sized food businesses in complying with food safety requirements, as well as to facilitate hygiene ratings, licencing, registration, and training.
  • With over 32 lakh registered food business operators and a slew of unregistered eateries, India is one of the world's largest food markets. Food businesses encounter a variety of obstacles, much like any other large company.
  • As a result, programmes like the ‘Food Safety mitra' make it easier to run a food business.

What is THE FOOD SAFETY MITRA scheme

The Food Safety Mitra scheme was recently launched by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which is part of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The Food Safety Mitra Scheme was created primarily to assist small and medium-sized food businesses in complying with food safety legislation by offering licencing and registration, hygiene ratings, and training. In addition, the initiative would provide job possibilities for young people all around the country. The Food Safety Mitra Scheme is examined in-depth in this article.

Food Safety mitra roles and responsibilities

The fssai Mitra responsibilities will be divided into four categories:

Digital Mitra: This Mitra will assist businesses and people in applying for licences or registrations, as well as investigating concerns with suspended licences and registrations.

Hygiene Mitra: This Mitra will conduct several audits at outlets to see if they are up to code in terms of safety and hygiene. They will also be in charge of educating food safety supervisors and handlers on how to handle food in a safe and sanitary manner.

According to official data, just 32 lakh enterprises currently have licenced or are registered. The goal is to double this number with the implementation of this scheme.

Trainer Mitra: This Mitra will assist in the training of food safety supervisors and the conduct of training at FSSAI-certified ‘Eat Right' campuses. There are currently around 1.55 lakh trainers, and the goal of this initiative is to raise that number to at least 10 lakh trainers.

Campaign Ambassadors: This final group will play a critical role in raising consumer awareness. These ambassadors will create campaigns through social media platforms and other available means to share the Food Mitras message.

Food Safety mitra scheme objectives

The Food Safety Mitra Scheme has the following goals:

  • To provide job chances for young people with a background in food and nutrition.

  • To make it easier to do business by developing a well-organized and transparent ecosystem that supports the food industry.

  • At the community level, to engage motivated individuals in the food safety ecosystem.

Food Safety mitra Eligibility

Eligibility for Digital Mitra

Anyone between the ages of 21 and 60 who holds a bachelor's degree from a recognised university and has a working knowledge of the internet, computers, and other technology is eligible to apply to become a Digital Mitra.

Eligibility of Trainer Mitra

The following are the educational requirements for a Trainer Mitra at various levels:

For Basic level –

  • A bachelor's degree in food technology, science, food science, microbiology, biology, chemistry, or a related field is required.

  • Graduates from different fields must have at least five years of experience in the relevant food industry, such as manufacturing, catering, retail, and so on.

For Advanced Level –

  • At least a bachelor's degree in food technology, science, food science, microbiology, biology, or chemistry.

  • Graduates in other fields must have at least seven years of work and implementation experience in the appropriate food business, such as manufacturing, catering, retail, and so on.

For Special Courses –

  • At least a bachelor's degree in food technology, science, food science, microbiology, biology, or chemistry.

  • Graduates from other streams must have at least seven years of work and implementation experiences in a specific industry sector, such as fish, meat, or milk.

The following are the training experience as a trainer and implementation experience qualifications for various levels:

  • Basic level - Three years of hygiene and food safety training experience in the relevant food business, including HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point), FSMS (Food Safety Management System), and other similar food safety systems.

  • For Advanced Level - Minimum five years of hygiene and food safety training experience in the relevant food business, including HACCP, FSMS, and other related food safety systems.

  • For Special Courses, a minimum of five years of training and implementation experience in food systems and regulations in a specific industry sector is required.

Knowledge of the FSS Regulations and Rules is a general training need for basic, advanced, and specific courses. Good motivational and communication abilities are required for basic level, advanced level, and customised courses. In addition, the candidates must be accessible for training for at least twenty days every year.

Eligibility for Hygiene Mitra

  • A Hygiene Mitra can be anyone between the ages of 21 and 60 who has a bachelor's degree in dairy, fishery, catering, technology, hotel management, oil technology, biotechnology, microbiology, agricultural sciences, biochemistry, or veterinary sciences from a recognised university.
  • Candidates should also be familiar with the FSS Act, Regulations, and Rules. It is advantageous if they have sector-specific knowledge of sanitary and hygienic procedures, hazard identification, processing methodologies, and contamination and allergen knowledge/control/analysis.

Food Safety mitra Registration

The Food Safety Mitra registration procedure is as follows:

  • Visit the Mitra Food Safety webpage https://fssai.gov.in/mitra/.

  • On the website's homepage, click the 'Apply Online' button.

  • The application for ‘FSM Registration' will open.  

  • Candidates must complete the FSM Registration details, including login information, FSM (Food Safety Mitra) information, qualification information, experience, and training information.

  • Candidates must check the declaration box and then click the "Register Yourself" button.

  • Applicants who have been shortlisted for the Digital Mitra programme must complete the online training and take the Computer Based Test (CBT) at one of the designated test centres. The Food Safety Mitra will receive a Digital Mitra Certificate after passing the evaluation, which will be valid for two years.
  • Applicants who meet the qualifying criteria for Trainer Mitra and Hygiene Mitra will be enrolled and will be required to complete classroom training and examinations in order to become certified Trainer Mitra and certified Hygiene Mita valid for two years. They would have to go through intermediate training depending on the service given by the Food Safety Mitra to the FBOs.
  • To ensure that the FSM Mitra are invested in the accomplishment of their aim, a refundable security deposit is collected at the time of certification. Currently, a food security deposit of Rs.5,000 is collected from FSM Fssai Mitra, which is repaid if the Food Safety Mitra chooses to leave the Food Safety Mitra scheme.

Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to apply for the Food Safety mitra Scheme 2020 over the internet?

Yes, interested and eligible applicants can apply online at https://fssai.gov.in/mitra/register for the Food Safety Mitra Scheme 2020.

Who is eligible to become a Food Safety mitra or a Food Mitra under the Food Safety mitra Scheme 2020?

Food Mitras are FSSAI certified candidates.

In the Food Safety mitra Scheme 2020, what are the three major types?

The different types of Mitra in the Food Safety Mitra Scheme 2020 include Trainer Mitra, Hygiene Mitra, and Digital Mitra.

What is the address of the Food Safety mitra Scheme's official website?

Candidates can learn more about the Food Safety Mitra Scheme by visiting https://fssai.gov.in/mitra/.