12/06/2026
FDA Goa Celebrates World Food Safety Day 2026; Launches Major Food Safety & Nutrition Initiatives
The Food and Drugs Administration Goa, celebrated World Food Safety Day 2026 at the Institute of Nursing Education on 11/06/2026, bringing together government officials, industry leaders, academia, nutrition experts, chefs, and food business operators to reinforce the importance of safe food and public health.
The event was graced by Shri Vishwajit Rane, Hon'ble Minister for Health, as Chief Guest. Shri Mahesh Pai, Principal of Goa College of Home Science, Shri Wilson Fernandes, Principal of Institute of Nursing Education, , Shri. Sanjay Bhandari, Head Corporate Affairs, West, Nestle, Shri. Arvind Singh, President of National Association of Street food Vendors of India NASVI, Chef Ranjit Pandey, President of Goa Culinary Forum, the Director, Food and Drugs Administration, Smt Shweta Dessai, and Smt Cheryl Salis, Registered Dietitian, Researcher, and director Nurture health solutions were the special guests.
Addressing the gathering, dignitaries emphasized that food safety is a shared responsibility requiring the collective efforts of regulators, industry, food handlers, institutions, and consumers. The programme highlighted the global theme of World Food Safety Day 2026: “From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere.”
As part of the celebrations, FDA launched three key initiatives:
1. Nutrition Education Series and Forum of Nutritional Experts in Goa – a platform to mobilize certified nutrition professionals and promote evidence-based nutrition awareness among the public.
2. Multi-City Chefs Challenge – an innovative initiative that will bring together professional chefs, culinary students, home chefs, and aspiring culinary enthusiasts to promote excellence in food preparation while reinforcing food safety practices.
3. FoSTaC Training Programme for 1,000 Street Food Vendors – a large-scale capacity-building initiative being implemented in collaboration with Nestlé India and NASVI to strengthen food safety and hygiene practices among street food vendors throughout Goa.
The initiatives were formally launched by the Hon'ble Health Minister through the unveiling of a street food vendor mannequin symbolizing the FoSTaC training, the release of the Chefs Challenge poster and promotional video, and the launch of the Nutrition Education Series handout.
A special exhibition on Nutrition and Food Safety organized by the Institute of Nursing Education further enriched the event. The celebration reaffirmed FDA Goa's commitment to enhancing food safety standards, promoting nutritional literacy, and fostering collaborative partnerships to ensure safer and healthier food for all citizens of Goa.@ Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
