The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched the Food Safety Mitra (FSM) scheme to create a nationwide network of trained, certified professionals who assist Food Business Operators (FBOs) with compliance under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act. The scheme offers three distinct roles: Digital Mitra for licensing and registration support, Trainer Mitra for food safety training, and Hygiene Mitra for hygiene auditing. Each role has specific eligibility requirements, certification processes, and earning opportunities.
What Is the Food Safety Mitra Scheme?
The Food Safety Mitra scheme is an initiative by FSSAI to build an ecosystem of individuals who bridge the gap between food businesses and regulatory compliance. Many small and medium food businesses in India lack the knowledge, digital capabilities, or trained personnel to handle FSSAI registration, licensing, and hygiene requirements independently.
Food Safety Mitras are independent professionals, not government employees. They earn revenue by providing services to food businesses at market-determined rates. FSSAI certifies their competence and issues a digital identity linked to the FSM portal, ensuring accountability and quality control.
The scheme supports FSSAI’s broader goal of improving food safety standards across India by making compliance accessible and affordable for small-scale food operators, street food vendors, school and college canteens, and hospital and corporate cafeterias.
Three Categories of Food Safety Mitra
Digital Mitra
Digital Mitra professionals assist FBOs with online FSSAI registration and licensing. They handle the entire digital process on behalf of food businesses that may lack computer literacy or internet access.
Their responsibilities include filing applications for FSSAI registration (for small businesses with turnover up to Rs.12 lakh), applying for state and central FSSAI licences (for businesses with turnover above Rs.12 lakh), uploading required documents on the Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS) portal, tracking application status and responding to queries from licensing authorities, and assisting with licence renewal before expiry.
Trainer Mitra
Trainer Mitra professionals are certified food safety trainers who conduct training programs for food handlers, supervisors, and managers working in food businesses. They operate under FSSAI’s Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) program.
Their training covers personal hygiene practices for food handlers, safe food handling and storage procedures, contamination prevention and pest control, food allergen management, and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) principles.
Hygiene Mitra
Hygiene Mitra professionals are domain experts who conduct hygiene audits at food establishments. They evaluate premises, processes, and practices against FSSAI’s hygiene rating framework and assign ratings based on their findings.
They assess the cleanliness and maintenance of food preparation areas, food storage conditions (temperature, segregation, labelling), compliance with personal hygiene by food handlers, waste management and pest control measures, and water quality and sanitation facilities.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Digital Mitra | Trainer Mitra | Hygiene Mitra |
| Age | 21 to 60 years | 21 to 60 years | 21 to 60 years |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university | Graduation/post-graduation in food science, food technology, microbiology, or related field | Graduation/post-graduation in food science, food technology, or related discipline |
| Experience | Not mandatory (IT proficiency required) | Minimum 1 year in the food industry | Minimum 3 years in the food industry |
| Certification | FSSAI Digital Mitra certification (online exam) | FoSTaC trainer certification | FSSAI Hygiene Auditor certification |
| IT skills | Computer and internet proficiency required | Basic computer skills | Basic computer skills |
| Background check | Police verification certificate | Police verification certificate | Police verification certificate |
| Special requirement | None | Must complete the Train the Trainer program | Must pass the FSSAI hygiene audit examination |
Registration Process
Step 1: Visit the FSM Portal
Access the Food Safety Mitra portal at foscos.fssai.gov.in or through the FSSAI main website.
Step 2: Create an Account
Register with your personal details, including your name, email address, mobile number, and Aadhaar number. Verify your mobile number and email through OTP.
Step 3: Select Mitra Category
Choose the role you want to register for: Digital Mitra, Trainer Mitra, or Hygiene Mitra. An individual can register for multiple roles if they meet the eligibility criteria for each.
Step 4: Upload Documents
Upload the required documents, including educational certificates, experience letters (for Trainer and Hygiene Mitra), identity proof (Aadhaar, PAN, or voter ID), address proof, passport-size photograph, and police verification certificate.
Step 5: Complete Training and Certification
Digital Mitra. Complete the online training module on the FSM portal covering FSSAI registration and licensing procedures. Pass the online examination to receive the Digital Mitra certificate.
Trainer Mitra. Attend the Train the Trainer (ToT) program conducted by FSSAI-approved training partners. Pass the FoSTaC certification examination. Receive the Trainer Mitra certificate linked to your FSM profile.
Hygiene Mitra. Complete the FSSAI hygiene audit training program. Pass the hygiene audit examination covering food safety standards, audit procedures, and rating methodology. Receive the Hygiene Mitra certificate.
Step 6: Activation and Assignment
After certification, your profile is activated on the FSM portal. FBOs in your geographical area can locate and engage your services through the portal. FSSAI may also assign you tasks based on your location and specialisation.
Earning Potential and Revenue Model
| Role | Revenue Source | Typical Earnings |
| Digital Mitra | Service charges for FSSAI registration and licensing | Rs. 500 to Rs. 5,000 per application (depends on licence type) |
| Trainer Mitra | Training fees for FoSTaC programs | Rs. 750 to Rs. 1,500 per trainee per session |
| Hygiene Mitra | Audit fees for hygiene rating assessments | Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 15,000 per audit (depends on establishment size) |
Food Safety Mitras operate as independent professionals. Their earnings depend on the volume of work they handle, their geographical location, and the type of food businesses they serve. Urban areas with higher FBO density typically offer more opportunities.
Benefits of the FSM Scheme
The scheme benefits multiple stakeholders. Food businesses gain access to affordable, certified professionals who handle compliance on their behalf, reducing the risk of penalties and licence cancellations. Food Safety Mitras gain a government-certified professional identity, access to a pan-India client base through the FSM portal, and a sustainable income opportunity. Consumers benefit from improved food safety standards at local food establishments, resulting from better-trained food handlers and regular hygiene audits.
FSSAI benefits from an extended enforcement network that reaches small businesses and remote areas where direct regulatory oversight is limited.
Key Terms
• Food Safety Mitra (FSM): A trained and FSSAI-certified professional who assists food businesses with registration, licensing, training, and hygiene compliance under the FSS Act
• FoSTaC: Food Safety Training and Certification program under FSSAI, the framework for training food handlers and certifying food safety trainers
• FLRS: Food Licensing and Registration System, the online portal for FSSAI registration and licence applications
• Hygiene Rating: A score assigned to food establishments based on hygiene audit findings, displayed as a rating for consumer awareness
• Food Business Operator (FBO): Any person or entity involved in manufacturing, processing, packaging, storing, transporting, distributing, or selling food products
Interested in Becoming a Food Safety Mitra?
Explore the certification process and start assisting food businesses with FSSAI compliance. Use WFYI resources for regulatory guidance and compliance management.
| Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the Food Safety Mitra scheme?
The FSM scheme is an FSSAI initiative that creates a network of certified professionals who assist food businesses with FSSAI registration, licensing, food safety training, and hygiene auditing. Mitras are independent professionals, not government employees.
Q2: Can one person register for multiple FSM roles?
Yes. An individual can register for Digital Mitra, Trainer Mitra, and Hygiene Mitra simultaneously, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and complete the certification requirements for each role separately.
Q3: Is there a fee to register as a Food Safety Mitra?
Registration on the FSM portal is free. However, training and certification programs (especially for Trainer Mitra and Hygiene Mitra) may involve fees charged by FSSAI-approved training partners.
Q4: How do food businesses find and engage a Food Safety Mitra?
FBOs can locate certified Food Safety Mitras through the FSM portal by searching for professionals in their area. The portal displays Mitra’s certification status, category, and contact details for direct engagement.
Q5: What is the difference between FSSAI registration and FSSAI licence?
FSSAI registration is for small food businesses with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 12 lakh. An FSSAI licence (state or central) is required for businesses with a turnover above Rs. 12 lakh. Digital Mitras assist with both processes on the FLRS portal.
FAQs: FSSAI Food Safety Mitra Scheme
- What is the FSSAI Food Safety Mitra (FSM) scheme?
An FSSAI initiative that creates a nationwide network of trained, certified professionals who help Food Business Operators comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act. - What roles are available under the scheme?
Three roles: Digital Mitra (licensing and registration support), Trainer Mitra (food safety training) and Hygiene Mitra (hygiene auditing). - What does a Digital Mitra do?
A Digital Mitra assists food businesses with FSSAI licensing and registration processes. - Who can become a Food Safety Mitra?
Each role has its own eligibility requirements and certification process, so you choose the role that matches your background. - How does a Food Safety Mitra earn?
Each role offers its own earning opportunities by providing compliance, training or auditing services to food businesses.
