The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has commenced a three-week induction training program called ‘Nurturing Individual Potential and Unleashing Networking’ (NIPUN) for its newly recruited officials. A press release was issued on 13th June, 2023.
The National Training Centre, recently opened for this purpose, was officially inaugurated by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, on 31st May, 2023. This initiative marks the first step in enhancing staff training and capacity building for food safety officials, designated officers, and staff members.
The 6th NIPUN program was inaugurated by the CEO of FSSAI, at the National Training Centre for Food Safety and Standards located in Ghaziabad. Since 2017, FSSAI has successfully trained over 11 lakh food handlers and Food Business Operators (FBOs) as Food Safety Supervisors, with an average rate of 2 lakh trainees per year. Considering the vast number of FBOs in the country, which exceeds 72 lakhs, FSSAI aims to train 25 lakh food handlers and FBOs within the next three years, starting from the current financial year.
NIPUN serves as a flagship Induction Training Programme for direct recruits of FSSAI. The program design involves three weeks of classroom training, followed by on-the-job exposure to the functioning of FSSAI at regional offices. It aims to sensitize the direct recruits to the paramount mandate of the apex food regulator. The training program aims to foster fundamental knowledge about food safety and standards, as well as an understanding of the organizational structure of FSSAI, including the Food Authority, Central Advisory Committee, scientific panels/committees, and general aspects of food safety such as products, practices, value chain, and ecosystem.
The program will feature various technical sessions covering topics such as Indian Food Laws, Standardization, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Compliance, Codex, Food Imports, and more. Additionally, it will cover administrative aspects including rules, benefits and claims, office procedures, public procurement and financial rules, conduct and discipline rules, and e-office.
