The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) urged state authorities on Thursday to enhance surveillance in the warehouses of e-commerce operators and implement standard operating procedures (SoPs) for delivery personnel to ensure the safety of food reaching consumers.
In an official statement, the FSSAI highlighted the discussions from its 45th Central Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting, which took place on Thursday. During the meeting, states and Union Territories were advised to strengthen oversight at popular tourist destinations in preparation for the upcoming peak tourist season, which runs from November to March.
Given the expected surge in both domestic and international tourists at these locations, FSSAI recommended utilising Food Safety on Wheels Mobile Labs at key tourist spots to ensure compliance with food safety standards during the high-traffic season.
FSSAI CEO G. Kamala Vardhana Rao urged the Food Commissioners of various states to intensify surveillance of warehouses and facilities used by e-commerce platforms. He also called for the issuance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for these warehouses and the delivery personnel associated with e-commerce companies.
The statement further noted that states and Union Territories were instructed to increase the collection of surveillance samples and deploy Food Safety on Wheels mobile vans to support these efforts.
The committee also stressed the importance of training food business operators (FBOs) across all states and union territories under the Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) program, which is aimed at ensuring food safety and hygiene for all citizens.
States and Union Territories were urged to train 25 lakh food handlers by March 2026, including those working in universities, colleges, and hostel canteens.
The committee emphasised the need for an integrated food safety approach in the meeting, encouraging collaboration among all relevant ministries and stakeholders. It was also recommended that states and Union Territories hold regular Advisory Committee meetings at both the State and District levels.
Additionally, the meeting highlighted the importance of involving consumers in promoting healthier eating habits as part of the Eat Right India movement. States were advised to expand food safety awareness through outreach activities such as fairs, walkathons, and street plays (Nukkad Nataks).
Over 60 officials participated in the meeting, including Commissioners of Food Safety (CFS), representatives from states and Union Territories, senior FSSAI officials, and members from the food industry, consumer groups, the agriculture sector, laboratories, and research organisations.
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