FSSAI Food License

What is FSSAI Guidelines for Food Handlers?

It is essential for all food business operators to adhere strictly to general hygienic and sanitary practices. The Food Business Operator (FBO) is in charge of making sure that the regulations are followed. We shall talk about the FSSAI Guidelines for Food Handlers in this article.

What Is a Food License? Is It Mandatory for Food Handlers?

Every Food business operator must apply for a food License within the time frame specified by the FSSAI Act. Currently, the regulatory authorities (i.e., FSSAI) are concerned. They are taking measures to minimize food safety risks by formulating strict rules and regulations for maintaining food safety standards. Food Business Operators like restaurants, hotels, cafes, cafeterias in schools, and offices must ensure that food is cooked and served as per the regulations. Apart from maintaining the premise’s cleanliness and using quality ingredients, it is also imperative to ensure the hygiene of the food handlers.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India is in charge of the FSSAI. The manufacturing, sales, storage, distribution, and importation of food goods are all governed by the FSSAI, an apex body. To start a business in the food sector, any food business operator must first obtain the fundamental FSSAI registration or license. The FSSAI Act of 2006 has specific requirements for food safety and personal hygiene for food company operators.

Medical Fitness Test For Food Handlers

Any employee or food handler who is ill or who is suspected of being a disease carrier must not be permitted to enter the handling area. Any person who is afflicted with a disease or illness must establish a system whereby they must inform management of the ailment and get a medical evaluation. Additionally, plans must be created for the food handlers to undergo a medical checkup at least once a year to ensure they are free of infectious, communicable, or contagious diseases.

Also, the Food Business Operator must motivate, educate, encourage, and essentially supervise employees not to handle food when they are ill or are infected with diarrhea, sore throat, jaundice, vomiting, fever, eye, nose, or ear discharge, skin problems (cuts, boils, itching, etc.).

Personal Cleanliness And Training

The food workers are required to keep themselves immaculately clean. All food handlers must wear appropriate, clean attire, a face mask, gloves, a head covering, and footwear, all of which must be provided by the food business operator. The food business operator must also ensure that food handlers always cover their heads while working and use only hygienic protective clothes. Street shoes should not be worn while handling and preparing food in the kitchen.

At the premise, proper hand washing facilities should be available along with a continuous supply of water, soap, paper towels/ tissue rolls/hand dryers or hand sanitizer. Hand washing is vital. All food handlers must use soap and water. It is imperative for food handlers to wash their hands before and after handling food and, especially after using toilets, handling garbage, touching raw food of animal origin, touching animals, and touching toxic substances like disinfectants, cleaners, pesticides, etc.

FSSAI guidelines¹ for Food handlers have been made keeping in mind the safety of food workers and end consumers.

What Must Food Handlers Avoid?

Food handlers must avoid the following practices while preparing and handling food:

• Chewing or smoking tobacco in the food handling areas
• Chewing betel nut or gum
• Touching mouth, tongue, nose, eyes, or other body parts
• Spitting, coughing, sneezing, etc., in the food service area, etc.
• Handling the food and money at the same time.
• Share each other’s belongings/stationary/ work tools etc.

Prepare or sell food in an area which is prone to pollution.

The food handlers involved in food handling operations are required to uphold high standards of personal hygiene and refrain from engaging in unsanitary practices. They are required to ensure careful food handling, safeguard food from environmental exposure, refrain from using jewellery, thread, or cosmetics on their hands, and keep all personal items away from food and surfaces that come into contact with it. The FSSAI Licence is subject to suspension or cancellation in case of a breach or non-compliance with the FSSAI Act or Guidelines.

FSSAI Training Norms For Food Handlers

FSSAI Guidelines for Food handlers talks about the training norms of FBO Staff. All food business operators need to have the essential knowledge and skills that are significant to manufacturing, food processing, storing, packing, and serving in order to ensure food safety and food quality.

The management must promote and provide food safety training to their employees and food handlers by carrying out ongoing in-house courses for them or arranging for them to participate in courses offered by various organizations. Additionally, periodic assessments must be made to find the effectiveness of the training as well as routine checks to make sure that food hygiene and food safety procedures are carried out in an effective manner.

Any Food Business Operator must strictly follow the food safety and standard regulations. Food is perishable and susceptible to contamination, and maintaining primary sanitary and hygienic conditions is imperative. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the apex food regulator in India.

The Food Business Operator who holds an FSSAI Certificate or Registration in dealing with the manufacturing, processing, storing, and distributing of food needs to conform to the regulations laid by FSSAI. It is imperative to obtain the license or registration, or otherwise, the existing registration or license will be cancelled.

In obtaining the registration or license, there are multiple declarations and resolution forms that the Food Business Operator needs to file with the application. These declarations and forms must be prepared ideally so as to obtain the license without any problem.

Conclusion

Any food business operator can now readily submit the application form online thanks to the development of the internet. However, it is advised to use the services of a qualified consultant who is familiar with the FSSAI rules and regulations regarding the Food Business Operator license and registration if you want to complete the full process without any problem.

The experts provide assistance throughout the entire process, from the initial license consultation to document preparation, application drafting, product testing, approval, and meeting safety and hygiene requirements. Please do not hesitate to ask questions about the FSSAI Guidelines for Food Handlers.

FAQs

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1. https://www.fssai.gov.in/