The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched the Food Safety Mitra (FSM) initiative. This scheme aims to build a network of dedicated individuals who are trained and certified by the FSSAI. These professionals, known as Food Safety Mitras, assist Food Business Operators (FBOs) in adhering to the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, including compliance with various regulations and rules.

The primary objective of this ecosystem is to facilitate FBOs with essential services such as registration, licensing, hygiene auditing, and training across various establishments, including schools, colleges, and corporate offices.

Categories of Food Safety Mitra

The scheme classifies participants into three distinct roles:

1. Digital Mitra: These are individuals with strong IT skills and an entrepreneurial drive. They assist food businesses with digital compliance, specifically focusing on FSSAI registration and licensing processes.
2. Trainer Mitra: This category is for food professionals or individuals involved in the food business. Through the ‘Train the Trainer’ program, they become certified to impart knowledge on food safety processes, ensuring these practices are adopted by a wider community of food professionals.
3. Hygiene Mitra: Targeted at domain experts within the food industry, these individuals serve as hygiene auditors. They conduct audits at food service establishments and campuses, providing hygiene ratings based on a transparent, technology-driven framework designed by FSSAI.

Eligibility Criteria

Each category has specific requirements regarding age, education, and experience.

Digital Mitra Eligibility

• Age: 21 to 60 years.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
• Skills: specific working knowledge of computers and the internet.

Trainer Mitra Eligibility

Requirements vary based on the level of training provided:

• Basic Level:

  • Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related fields.
  • Graduates from other streams require a minimum of 5 years of experience in relevant food industries (catering, manufacturing, retail).
  • Training Experience: At least 3 years in food safety and hygiene (including FSMS, HACCP).

• Advanced Level:

  • Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related fields.
  • Graduates from other streams require a minimum of 7 years of implementation and work experience in relevant food industries.
  • Training Experience: At least 5 years in food safety and hygiene systems.

• Special Courses:

  • Degree in relevant food science subjects.
  • Graduates from other streams need 7 years of experience in a specific industry sector (e.g., meat, milk, fish).
  • Experience: Minimum of 5 years in training and implementation of safety regulations in the specific sector.

All trainer candidates must possess knowledge of FSS Regulations, strong communication skills, and availability for at least 20 days of training annually.

Hygiene Mitra Eligibility

• Age: 21 to 60 years.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management, Catering, Dairy, Fisheries, Oil Technology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Veterinary Sciences, or Agricultural Sciences.
• Knowledge: Familiarity with the FSS Act and Rules. Sector-specific knowledge regarding hygiene practices, hazard identification, and contaminant analysis is highly advantageous.

Roles and Responsibilities

The duties assigned to each Mitra depend on their certification category.

Digital Mitra Duties

• Submitting new applications for FSSAI Licenses or Registrations.
• Handling online correspondence regarding official queries.
• Applying for modifications to existing registrations or licenses.
• Filing annual returns and declarations.
• Managing applications for product, label, and advertisement claim approvals.
• Filing appeals to revoke suspended licenses.

Trainer Mitra Duties

• Training Food Safety Supervisors.
• Conducting on-demand training for food safety personnel within businesses.
• Leading training sessions at certified ‘Eat Right Campuses’.

Hygiene Mitra Duties

• conducting hygiene audits of FBO outlets following prescribed guidelines.
• Assisting FBOs in implementing hygiene standards.
• Educating food handlers and safety supervisors on hygienic handling practices.

Registration Process

To become a Food Safety Mitra, candidates must follow these steps:

1. Visit the official Food Safety Mitra website.
2. Select ‘Apply Online’ on the homepage.
3. Complete the FSM Registration form with personal, qualification, and experience details.
4. Accept the declaration and submit the form.

Certification Steps:

• Digital Mitra: Shortlisted applicants undergo online training followed by a Computer-Based Test (CBT). Successful candidates receive a certificate valid for two years.
• Trainer and Hygiene Mitra: Eligible applicants must complete classroom training and assessments. Upon passing, they receive a certification valid for two years. Intermediate training may be required depending on the services they offer.

Security Deposit:

A refundable security deposit of Rs. 5,000 is required upon certification to ensure commitment to the scheme. This amount is refunded if the individual decides to exit the scheme.