New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) convened its 45th Central Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting today, urging States and Union Territories to enhance food safety measures in preparation for the peak tourist season, which runs from November through March. The meeting focused on ensuring heightened safety standards at popular tourist destinations, which attract both domestic and international visitors during this period.
G Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO of FSSAI, called for the ramping up of surveillance at tourist hotspots and stressed the importance of utilizing Food Safety on Wheels Mobile Labs to monitor food safety standards in these high-footfall areas. He encouraged States and UTs to deploy these mobile units at tourist destinations to ensure that food sold to travelers meets the highest safety standards.
Further highlighting the need for vigilance, Rao directed Food Commissioners from various states to intensify surveillance at warehouses and facilities utilized by e-commerce platforms. He emphasized the importance of establishing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for such warehouses, as well as for delivery personnel, to ensure the safe handling and delivery of food products.
The committee also called for an increase in food safety surveillance samples and recommended that Food Safety on Wheels mobile vans be deployed to gather these samples. This initiative aims to ensure that food safety standards are upheld, particularly in the busy tourist season.
A key focus of the meeting was the training of Food Business Operators (FBOs) under the Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) program. States and UTs were urged to train 25 lakh food handlers, including those working in university, college, and hostel canteens, by March 2026. This initiative is aimed at improving food safety and hygiene practices across the country.
The meeting also underscored the need for a coordinated and integrated approach to food safety, encouraging collaboration among various ministries and stakeholders. States and UTs were urged to regularly hold Advisory Committee meetings at the State and District levels to ensure the effective implementation of food safety initiatives.
As part of the ongoing Eat Right India movement, the committee emphasized the importance of engaging consumers in promoting healthier eating habits. States were encouraged to amplify food safety awareness through community outreach activities such as fairs, walkathons, and street plays (Nukkad Nataks), which would help foster a culture of food safety and well-being among citizens.
Over 60 officials, 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 bodies, actively participated in the meeting, underscoring the collaborative efforts needed to ensure food safety and hygiene across India.