Food Safety Mitra Scheme

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recently launched the food safety Mitra scheme. The Food Safety Mitra Scheme was mainly started to provide support for the small and medium food business in compliance with the food safety laws by providing licensing and registration, hygiene ratings and training facility. Also, the scheme will create employment opportunities for youth across the country. In this article, we look at the Food Safety Mitra Scheme in detail.

Also, read Food Safety Training and Certification (FOSTAC)

Objectives of the Scheme

The objectives of the Food Safety Mitra Scheme are as follows:

• To create employment opportunities for the youth belonging to food and nutrition background.
• To promote the ease of doing business by creating an organised and transparent ecosystem supporting food business.
• To engage motivated individuals with the food safety ecosystem ar groud level.

Food Safety Mitra

Food Safety Mitra is an individual who undergoes training and certified by FSSAI to perform activities on behalf of food business operators with respect to the implementation of FSS Act, Rules and Regulations.

Categories

The food safety Mitra is divided into three categories as given below:

• Digital Mitra
• Trainer Mitra
• Hygiene Mitra

Eligibility Criteria for Digital Mitra

• The applicant age group should be between 21 to 60 years.
• The applicant should have completed a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.
• The applicant should have knowledge of operating computers, internet etc.

Eligibility Criteria for Trainer Mitra

S.No	Particulars	Basic Level	Advance Level	Special Courses
1.	Educational Qualification	Graduate in Science/food/technology/biology/chemistry/microbiology or any other related fields. If degree holder in any other streams, the minimum experience of 5 years in relevant food industry such as manufacturing, catering, retail, etc. is required.	Graduate in Science/food/technology/biology/chemistry/microbiology or any other related fields. If degree holder in any other streams, the minimum experience of 7 years in relevant food industry such as manufacturing, catering, retail, etc. is required.	Graduate in Science/food/technology/biology/chemistry/microbiology or any other related fields. If degree holder in any other streams, the minimum experience of 7 years in a particular sector such as milk, fish, meat etc. is required.
2.	Training Experience	Minimum training experience of 3 years in food safety and hygiene, which includes HACCP, FSMS and any other similar food safety systems in the relevant Food Industry.	Minimum training experience of 5 years in food safety and hygiene, which includes HACCP, FSMS and any other similar food safety systems in the relevant Food Industry.	Minimum training experience of 5 years in food safety and system regulations in the particular sector of the industry.
3.	General Training Received	Knowledge of FSSAI rules and regulations	Knowledge of FSSAI rules and regulations	Knowledge of FSSAI rules and regulations
4.	Skills	Should possess good communication and motivational skill. Should be available for training at least 20 days per year.	Should possess good communication and motivational skill. Should be available for training at least 20 days per year.	Should possess good communication and motivational skill. Should be available for training at least 20 days per year.

Eligibility Criteria for Hygiene Mitra

• The applicant age group should be between 21 to 60 years.
• The applicant should have completed bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management, Catering Technology, Bio-Technology, Biochemistry, microbiology, Food, Dairy, Fisheries, Oil Technology, Agricultural Sciences, Veterinary Sciences from a recognised university.
• The applicant should have knowledge of the FSSAI rules and regulations.

Note: The priority will be to the applicants having knowledge of hazards identification, hygienic and sanitary practices, processing techniques, analysis or control of contaminants and allergens.

Roles and Responsibility

The roles and responsibilities of the Food Safety Mitra are listed out:

Digital Mitra

• Online filing of a new application for registration or license.
• Online application filing for a modification of registration or license.
• Online filing of annual returns.
• Online applications filing for approval of Product/label/Advertisement Claim.
• Online appeal filing for revocation of suspended registration or licenses.

Trainer Mitra

• To conduct training at Eat Right Campuses
• To conduct training of food safety supervisors
• To conduct training of food safety personnel in businesses on demand.

Hygiene Mitra

• Auditing hygiene of Food Business Operators (FBO) outlets as per guidelines.
• Assisting FBO with the implementation of hygiene guidelines.
• Conducting training for food safety supervisors and food handlers about hygienic and safe food handling practices.

To read about Punishment for Food Adulteration–FSSAI click here

Service Charge

Following are the charges will be obtained by the food safety Mitra from the food business operators:

S.No	Type of Service	Service Charge
1	Online filing of the new application for registration, license and annual returns.	Rs.100
2	Online application filing for a modification of registration or license.	Rs.500
3	Training Basic level Advanced Level Special Level	Negotiable by Trainer Mitra Rs.2000 for FBO with 15 employees or less. Rs.5000 for FBO with 15 employees or more.
4	Hygiene Audit	Rs.2000 for FBO with 15 employees or less. Rs.5000 for FBO with 15 employees or more.

Online Application Procedure for Food Safety Mitra Scheme

To apply for Food Safety Mitra Scheme, follow the steps as given below:

Step 1: The applicant has to access the official website of FSSAI.

Step 2: Click on “Apply Online” link which is visible on the home page of the portal.

Step 3: Now, complete the online application form with the required details such as personal details, qualification details, contact details etc.

Step 4: After filling the form, read the terms and conditions carefully and click on the “Agree” button.

Step 5: Click on “Register Yourself” button to complete the registration process.

Note: After successful registration takes a print out of Application form for future reference.

Issuance of Certificate

On shortlisted from the submitted application, the applicant has to complete training in online and should appear for CBT At one of the specified test centres. After completion of the assessment, the food safety Mitra will be provided with a certificate which is valid for two years. Depending upon the service provided by the FSM to the food business operator, FSM would be required to undergo intermediate training.

Cancellation of Food Safety Mitra Certification

At the time of certification, the security deposit of Rs.5000 will be collected from the Food Safety Mitra. In case the Food Safety Mitra wants to exit from the scheme, then the security deposit will be refunded to the Food Safety Mitra with a specified time period.

To Obtain Food Business Operator License in India click here