Srinagar: FDA, J&K, in collaboration with the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI), organised a Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) programme at Town Hall, Anantnag, on October 8 and 09, 2026. The programme, sponsored by Nestlé India, was attended by 200 street food vendors and Food Business Operators (FBOs), with another 100 vendors scheduled to be covered in the subsequent session.
During the training, participants were sensitized about food safety requirements, personal hygiene, safe food handling practices, prevention of food contamination, the hazards of repeatedly using cooking oil, the use of un-authorised synthetic food colours and the use of newspapers for wrapping or serving food. Emphasis was also laid on maintaining cleanliness and hygienic conditions at food preparation and vending sites to ensure that safe and wholesome food is served to consumers.
The participants were apprised of their responsibilities under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules and regulations framed thereunder. They were encouraged to adopt good hygiene practices in their daily business operations. Hygiene kits were also distributed among the participants, and FoSTaC certificates were provided to those completing the prescribed training requirements.
Similar training programmes will be organised in other districts of the Union Territory in the coming days, with a focus on street food vendors and other Food Business Operators, particularly those dealing in high-risk food categories.
The initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of food handlers, improve compliance with food safety standards and promote hygienic street food vending practices. Measures to facilitate food business registration, wherever applicable, and promote clean and hygienic street food hubs will also be pursued in accordance with the applicable provisions and schemes.
The FDA, J&K, reiterated its commitment to promoting food safety through training, awareness, regular inspections and enforcement, with the objective of ensuring the availability of safe, hygienic and quality food to the general public across the Union Territory.
