Food Safety Genie (FSG FoodWorks) is a year-old startup that aims to enable food establishments meet and maintain hygiene standards and make each of these food establishments a safe place to eat. “Each year, it is estimated that 48 million consumers become sick from contaminated food. There is a rapid increase in demand for restaurants due to India’s growing middle class and spending power leading to a shortage of staff. Restaurant staff also are not aware of required food safety standards compounding the problem further. With complex and ever-changing regulations, it becomes difficult for any FBO to follow the same. This is where we bridge a gap between FBOs and the regulatory bodies,” says the founder Pavithra, who is a certified Lead auditor, FSSAI-certified hygiene rating auditor, and FSSAI-certified FosTaC trainer for Basic Catering, Advance Manufacturing.
FSG FoodWorks aims at providing solutions for every process involved – licensing registration, regular audits which will help in the process of quality assurance, training and consultation, and guidance on norms for food start-ups. To date, they have serviced 97 clients (three have been certified as a responsible and safe place to eat) and have been given a huge project to conduct 100 hygiene rating audits in Chennai. They have also selected as one of the TOP 100 ventures by IIMB NSRCEL and given grant funding by Kotak Mahindra Bank.
Pavithra has written a book titled, ‘Certified safe: Basics of Food Safety and Hygiene Practices to Grow Your Business’. Currently, her client portfolio includes small scale manufacturers and caterers, cloud kitchens, multi-cuisine restaurants, and resorts.
“The Women Start-up Program at NSRCEL has helped me understand the basics of business and finance. It has helped me build a network of highly motivated cohorts and peer groups. It has given me timely nudges to set the course for my business. The seed grants and start-up kit have also helped me grow my business,” adds Pavithra.
