Lok Sabha Question No. 1896 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-29
Subject: Food Safety Mitra
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Y. S. Avinash Reddy, Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy, Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Prasun Banerjee, Beesetti  Venkata Satyavathi, Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1896 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH NOVEMBER, 2019

## FOOD SAFETY MITRA

1896. SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

SHRI KOMATI REDDY VENKAT REDDY:

SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:

SHRI PRASUN BANERJEE:

DR. BEESETTI VENKATA SATYAVATHI:

SHRI KANUMURU RAGHU RAMA KRISHANA RAJU:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Gove rnment  has  recently  launched  the  Food  Safety  Mitra  (FSM)  scheme  for strengthening and scaling up 'Eat Right India' movement;
- (b)  if so,  the  details  and  salient  features  thereof  along  with  the  mechanism  to  measur outcome/achievement of its objective/goals;
- (c) whether the State Governments have any role in the implementation of this scheme, if details thereof;
- (d) the details of funds sanctioned and utilized so far under this scheme, State/ UT - wise; and
- (e) whether the Government monitors the relative effectiveness of Health Food supplements if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a)& (b): Yes, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced Foo Safety  Mitra  (FSM)  Scheme  which  comprises  of  Digital  Mitra to  facilitate  Food  Business Operator (FBO)'s in using  online platforms of FSSAI, Trainer Mitra to impart training to Food businesses,  and  Hygiene Mitra for hygine rating of restaurants and establishments. Food Mitra is an individual professiona l certified by FSSAI who assists Food Business Operators in compliance  related  to  Food  Safety  and  Standards  (FSS)  Act,  Rules  and  Regulations  ma thereunder. It is a voluntary scheme to enable better compliance by FBOs and facilitate doing  business .  Food  Safety  Mitras  will  be  trained  by  FSSAI  and  also  the  details  regar eligibility, training content, code of conduct, fee structure are available on https://fssai.gov.in/food safetymit ra/ . The Scheme is expected to increase number of
- licensed/registered  FBOs,  number  of  trained  Food  Safety  Supervisors  and  in  number restaurants obtaining hygiene rating and the outcome would be measured accordingly. (c):FSSAI has requested the Comm issioner of Food Safety of States/UTs to give wide publicity to Food Safety Mitra Scheme to promote the enrolment of motivated individuals. (d): No separate fund is allocated to States/UTs under Food Safety Mitra (FSM) Scheme.  T
- fee payable to FSMs wo uld be borne  by the FBOs.
- (e): FSSAI has notified Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Fo for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Fo Regulations, 2016, which, inter - alia, contai n standards to regulate manufacture, sale and import of these products in India. State/UT Governments are primarily responsible for  implemen of provisions of Food Safety and Standards  Act and  Rules and Regulations made thereunder .

…………………..