Jashpurnagar. The Food and Drug Administration of Jashpur district yesterday provided free FOSTEC (Food Safety Training and Certification) training to 200 street food vendors doing food business on the footpath and roadside in the dialogue hall of the district panchayat.

The event was organised in collaboration with Nestlé India and NASVI (National Association of Street Vendors of India).

According to the Food Safety Standards Act 2006 and Regulations 2011, it is mandatory for all food businesses to undergo FOSTEC training. This training included vendors of tea, snacks, food carts, stalls, kiosks, jalebi, pakora, bhajiya, chaat, gupchup, idli, dosa, roasted jalapenos, phalidana, juice, lassi, shakes, fast food, momos, Chinese, and ice cream and falooda.

During the training, vendors were given information about preparing and serving food items hygienically and working as per hygiene standards.

Distribution of certificates and hygiene kits

Following the training, all 200 vendors received a Fostak training certificate, a street food vendor certificate, and a free hygiene kit. The kit included a cooking apron, a cap, a head cover, gloves, a kitchen towel, hand soap, and a Golden Rule chart.

Free registration for five years

The department said that under the scheme of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), street food vendors are being given food registration completely free of cost for five years on application.

Additionally, under the Eat Right Now movement, advice was given to use less oil, less salt, and less sugar in food. Government-issued posters and pamphlets were also distributed, so vendors could display them in their shops to raise awareness.

Designated Officer Sagar Dutta said that the department is committed to providing quality, standard, and clean food to the people in the district. Such awareness programs will continue in the future.