FoSTaC Training: A Complete Guide by FSSAI

Last Updated on June 23, 2025 by Admin

What is FoSTaC?
What is FoSTaC Training?
FoSTaC Training Objectives
FoSTaC License
FoSTaC Food Safety Supervisor Training
Eligibility for FoSTaC Food Safety Supervisor Training
FoSTaC Online Training
FoSTaC Advance Training
Benefits of FoSTaC Training
Conclusion

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the watchdog on food safety regulation in India that ensures that food businesses live up to strict hygiene and safety standards. One of the organisation’s flagship programs by this organization, FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification), under which it has designed a mandatory program for training and certifying food safety supervisors across the entire spectrum of the food industry.
This article aims to explain what FoSTaC is, what FoSTaC training is, the FoSTaC license, FoSTaC food safety supervisor training, FoSTaC online training, and FoSTaC advanced training, hence providing you with an all-embracing guide about this important initiative.

What is FoSTaC?

FoSTaC refers to Food Safety Training and Certification that was launched by FSSAI under section 16(3)(h) of The Food Safety and Standard Act 2006, which made it mandatory for Food Business Operators (FBOs) to get trained. This program seeks to develop a pool of trained professionals who will act as Food Safety Supervisors, ensuring compliance with all food safety requirements across the entire chain of activities involved from farm to fork. FoSTAC aims at creating awareness among people working in the sector for them to voluntarily comply with regulations, besides reducing cases where people suffer from sickness due to what they consume; thereby making consumers feel safe while dealing with these business entities.

The FoSTaC program is a program for all food businesses such as manufacturing, catering, retail trade, distribution, storage and transportation. It is compulsory for all FBOs holding Central or State Licenses to have at least one Food Safety Supervisor certified for every 25 food handlers or part thereof in their premises. This requirement, which was made effective on October 6th 2017, ensures that all food establishments have trained personnel to oversee safety aspects.

What is FoSTaC Training?

FoSTaC training is an organised educational curriculum created by FSSAI with the goal of spreading knowledge about food safety regulations, hygiene practices and compliance requirements. The training programs are conducted by empaneled Training Partners who are approved by FSSAI, thereby ensuring standardised delivery countrywide. They are designed differently to meet the specific needs of different food sectors like manufacturing, catering; and street vending among others targeted towards them so that they can be easily accessible in English and regional languages.

There are three levels of FoSTaC training including Basic, Advanced, and Special each catering to different types of food businesses and roles within them. Duration of the training could be anywhere from 4 hours up to 12 hours, normally spread across 1-2 days depending upon the level of the course. The syllabus is based on Schedule 4 of Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 which lays down general hygiene and sanitary practices for FBOs.

FoSTaC Training Objectives

Improve food safety: Train the supervisors in food safety best practices.
Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Minimise legal risks by making firms adhere to FSSAI regulations.
Prevent Illnesses: Reduce cases of illness due to food poisoning or other types of infections that can occur through foods.
Behavioral Change: Encourage a culture that promotes food safety across the sector.
Creation Of Skills: Enhancing availability of skilled human resources in the food industry.

FoSTaC License

Often, we hear the term FoSTaC license being thrown around casually. However, it should be understood that this does not represent a separate license but is actually the Food Safety Supervisor Certificate awarded upon successful completion of FoSTaC training. This certificate verifies that an individual has been trained and assessed against the food safety practices in his/her sector as set by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India). The certificate is required to be held by FBOs to show their compliance with FSSAI’s rules especially for those businesses having Central or State Licenses.

FoSTaC License (certificate) is given out when trainees undertake necessary training plus pass an assessment usually comprising 20 questions with a minimum score above 50%. They can redo the training free of charge if they do not pass. Certificates are provided in digital format; however, there is also an option to get hard copies at additional charges e.g., Rs. 100 for printing and couriering. Upon attaining this certification, Food Safety Supervisors can train other food handlers in their organization and keep records available for audits/inspections.

FoSTaC Food Safety Supervisor Training

FoSTaC food safety supervisor training was designed to give skills and knowledge to people who can supervise food safety in their workplaces. Food Safety Supervisors ensure that the staff involved in the preparation of food follow proper hygienic and sanitary practices as outlined by FSSAI. Additionally, they conduct on-site training for food handlers at least quarterly while maintaining records for compliance during FSSAI audits.

Eligibility for FoSTaC Food Safety Supervisor Training

Basic Level: Basic Level: It requires a matriculate qualification with 6 months experience within the relevant sector or being enrolled in the final year of an undergraduate program in food science, nutrition, hospitality or allied fields.
Advanced Level: It requires science graduate with 1 year supervisory experience within the relevant sector or non-science graduate with 2 years supervisory experience.
Special Level: Special Level: These are designed for specific high-risk food sectors such as milk, meat, edible oil etc., whose eligibility requirements differ from one course to another.

The training covers topics such as:

FSSAI regulations
General hygiene & sanitation
Safe handling & preparation techniques
Schedule 4 compliance
Sector-specific food safety

FoSTaC Online Training

The introduction of FoSTaC online training was a way to make the program more accessible, particularly during the time of COVID-19 pandemic. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for online training was released on May 29, 2020, allowing empanelled Training Partners to conduct virtual sessions. FoSTaC online training follows the same curriculum as classroom sessions but is delivered through digital platforms, requiring participants to have a device and internet access.

For an individual to enrol in FoSTaC online training he/she must:

Register at fostac.fssai.gov.in
Submit trainee application with personal and business details
Login to select course and generate admit card
Complete training and pass assessment to receive certification

FoSTaC online training is very advantageous, especially for people working in remote areas or unable to attend classroom-based lessons. It includes sector-specific courses like a COVID awareness module in some programs, thereby making it responsive to these current challenges.

FoSTaC Advance Training

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) FoSTaC advanced training is particularly designed for food safety supervisors who hold managerial or executive positions in large or medium-sized FBOs. This level is meant for businesses with intricate setups such as large-scale manufacturing, catering or distribution operations. The topics covered during the course, which takes 8 to 12 hours, include:

Detailed FSSAI regulations and recent amendments

Advanced hygiene and sanitary practices
Supervisory responsibilities, including training and auditing food handlers
Compliance with Schedule 4 for large-scale operations.

Therefore, FoSTaC advance training is compulsory for FBOs operating under Central or State Licenses in sectors like manufacturing, catering or logistics. At this level of training, supervisors are expected to directly oversee food handlers, ensure adherence as well as keep records for FSSAI inspections. For one to be eligible for FoSTaC advance training they must have a science degree with one year supervisory experience or non-science graduates require two years work experience.

Benefits of FoSTaC Training

There are several benefits that companies gain from enrolling their employees into the Food Safety Supervisors’ Training Program under FSSAI; meanwhile, there are also some advantages exclusively enjoyed by the trainees themselves and the food industry at large:

Compliance: Reduces legal risks by adhering to regulations
Consumer Safety: Fewer foodborne illnesses
Business Growth: Better trust and reputation
Skill Development: Upskilling the food workforce
Audit Readiness: Helps meet inspection requirements

Conclusion

FoSTaC is a transformative initiative by FSSAI to ensure food safety through trained Food Safety Supervisors. Whether you’re a street vendor or a large-scale manufacturer, FoSTaC empowers you to uphold the highest standards of food safety. For more details, visit the FoSTaC portal or contact FICSI today for more details.