New Delhi, November 18, 2025: ITC Ltd.’s Sunrise Spices has launched the Sunrise Swasthya Pradesh Program, a large-scale food safety and community health initiative aimed at empowering women and strengthening food handling practices across several states. The CSR initiative will reach over 1.5 million women and certify more than 11,000 caterers and street food vendors, impacting millions of consumers during wedding and festive seasons.
Implemented in collaboration with the Rajabazar Education and Awareness Development Society (READS), the program will span West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam and Andhra Pradesh. It focuses on improving food safety awareness at both community and household levels.
A major component of the initiative is the training and certification of cooks, caterers and street food vendors through FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification) sessions aligned with FSSAI guidelines. Participants who successfully complete assessments will receive FoSTaC certification, aimed at strengthening consumer confidence and supporting professional growth within the food services sector.
The program also aims to sensitize over 1.5 million women in West Bengal on the risks of food adulteration. Women will receive FSSAI’s DART (Detection of Adulteration by Rapid Test) booklet, awareness materials, and adulteration testing kits to help them identify unsafe food items and adopt safer alternatives. Community-led activities including health camps and haat engagements will promote safe household food practices.
Speaking at the launch, Piyush Mishra, Business Head, ITC Spices, said, "Sunrise has been a trusted name in Indian kitchens for decades. With the Swasthya Pradesh Program, we reinforce our commitment to food safety, hygiene, and health. By empowering caterers, food vendors and women with knowledge and skills, this initiative goes beyond awareness to transform everyday practices and safeguard the health of millions.”
Dr. Shantanu Das, Vice President & Head of Food Sciences, ITC Ltd, added, “ITC Sunrise Swasthya Pradesh Program builds the culture of food safety in the country, leveraging FSSAI Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) modules. The Program enables cooks, caterers, and food vendors to implement best practices. By systematically building scientific capacity and awarding certification, the program ensures both consumer protection and the credibility of India’s food handling ecosystem.”
The launch event saw participation from street food vendors, caterers and women from nearby villages, who shared their views on how the program would support healthier communities and improve livelihoods.
The initiative aligns with ITC’s broader Nutrition strategy, “Help India Eat Better,” focusing on safe food, sustainable food systems and community well-being.
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