The Chandigarh Railway Station has recently landed in the headlines for being awarded a 5-star Eat Right Station certification. This laurel comes as part of the ‘Eat Right India’ movement and makes this station the fifth in India to achieve such recognition, alongside Anand Vihar Terminal Railway Station (Delhi), Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Mumbai), Mumbai Central Railway Station (Mumbai), and Vadodara Railway Station.
Understanding ‘Eat Right Station’ Certification
The ‘Eat Right Station’ certification is an initiative by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) awarded to those railway stations that set exceptional standards in offering safe and wholesome food to the passengers. FSSAI, an autonomous statutory body, was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The certification process includes an audit performed by a third-party agency empanelled with FSSAI. The ratings range from 1 to 5 stars, and the station receives a certificate upon meeting the criteria.
Insight into the Eat Right Movement
The Eat Right Movement is a significant initiative led by FSSAI aiming at transforming India’s food system. The primary objective of this campaign, also known by its tagline ‘Sahi Bhojan, Behtar Jeevan’, is to ensure all Indians have access to safe, healthy and sustainable food.
This initiative aligns with the National Health Policy 2017 and focuses on preventive and promotive healthcare programs such as Ayushman Bharat, POSHAN Abhiyaan, Anaemia Mukt Bharat, and Swachh Bharat Mission. It adopts a balanced combination of regulatory, capacity building, collaborative, and empowerment approaches to guarantee food safety.
Related Initiatives and Awards
In addition to the Eat Right movement, FSSAI has launched several other initiatives to encourage food safety and healthy diet. The State Food Safety Index for instance, developed by FSSAI, measures the performance of states on five parameters related to food safety: Human Resources and Institutional Data, Compliance, Infrastructure and Surveillance for Food Testing, Training & Capacity Building, and Consumer Empowerment.
Moreover, FSSAI has also instituted the Eat Right Awards. These awards aim to recognise the significant contributions made by food companies, as well as individuals, in empowering citizens to opt for safe and healthy food options.
Another outreach activity organised by FSSAI is the Eat Right Mela. This is an interactive platform designed to gently persuade citizens towards healthier eating habits.
