Dr Umesh Kamble honored with AFSTI-FSSAI Award 2023 for outstanding contribution

Dr Umesh Kamble, a distinguished figure in the field of food safety, has been awarded the AFSTI-FSSAI Award 2023 in recognition of his exceptional contributions. The prestigious award was conferred at the 9th International Food Congress (IFCoN) held in Mysuru on 7 December 2023.

The award was presented by Dr. S Somanath (Chairman- ISRO) in the presence of Her Highness Pramoda Devi Wadiyar (Mysore), alongside Dr. Suresh Sakhare (Organizing Secretary, 9th IFCON), Dr. Sridevi (Director- CSIR- CFTRI Mysore), Dr. Bhaskar (Director CSIR- IITR, Lucknow), Dr. Semwa (Director DRDO- DFRL), and Dr. Tanaji Kudre (Convenor- 9th IFCON).

Dr. Umesh Kamble, an Advanced Manufacturing Trainer, has been at the forefront of food safety advocacy, particularly through his role as a nationwide training partner for FSSAI-FOSTAC since 2018. Under his leadership, Farm to Fork Solutions has conducted over 150+ successful on-site and online training sessions, empowering more than 8000 Food Safety supervisors across the processing, catering, and retail sectors.

The impact of Dr. Kamble's initiatives extends beyond training, as Farm to Fork Solutions actively participates in FSSAI initiatives like Eat Right India, BHOG, AAHAR, KFC Sahyog, Safe & Nutritious Food at School, collaborating with FDA Maharashtra across multiple regions, including Mumbai, Solapur, Satara, Sangli, and more.

One of the notable achievements is the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with various colleges, providing training and awareness workshops on ISO, FSMS, HACCP, and EDP. The organization also conducts sessions on Food Labelling and Packaging for PMFME beneficiaries.

In a commendable community outreach effort on World Food Safety Day 2022, Dr. Kamble's team conducted awareness campaigns near their office, reaching out to 40+ street food vendors in Shivaji Nagar, Pune. The initiative aimed at instilling the importance of personal hygiene and cross-contamination awareness among street food vendors.

Adding to the accolades, Dr. Umesh Kamble was honored by the Honorable Governor, Ramesh Bais ji, on 29 April 2023, for his outstanding contribution to the "Eat Right Mela" campaigns across Maharashtra.

Over the past six years, Farm to Fork Solutions has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to promoting and ensuring food safety. Through comprehensive and innovative training programs, the organization has successfully educated diverse audiences on the critical importance of food safety practices.

The training initiatives cover a broad spectrum of topics, including hygiene and sanitation practices, HACCP principles, regulatory compliance, allergen management, and employee training. These programs have not only focused on quantity but also on quality, receiving positive feedback attesting to their practical relevance and impact on day-to-day operations.

Receiving the AFSTI-FSSAI Award is a testament to Dr. Umesh Kamble and Farm to Fork Solutions' dedication to advancing food safety. The recognition serves as motivation to continue their efforts in contributing to a safer and healthier food ecosystem in India.