Eat Right Station Certification

Source: PIB
GS II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Eat Right Station
3. Need for Food Safety
4. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

Why in the News?

150 Railway Stations across the country achieve Eat Right Station certification from FSSAI.

News in Brief

• Millions of Indians travel through railway stations every day.
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)’s Eat Right Station initiative is making significant strides in ensuring access to safe and healthy food within these bustling hubs.
• Till date 150 railway stations across the country have been certified as Eat Right Stations, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of the Eat Right India movement, ensuring safe, hygienic, and nutritious food options for millions of passengers who traverse the country’s vast railway network.
• Some of the prominent stations that have been certified as “Eat Right stations” are the railway stations in New Delhi, Varanasi, Kolkata, Ujjain, Ayodhya Cantt, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Kozhikode, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Vadodra, Mysuru City, Bhopal, Igatpuri, Delhi’s Anand Vihar Terminal and Chennai’s Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station.
• Six pioneering metro stations across the country have also joined the effort and have been accredited as Eat Right Stations.
• Metro Stations at Noida Sector 51, Esplanade (Kolkata), IIT Kanpur, Botanical Garden (Noida) and Noida Electronic City Metro Station.

Eat Right Station

• The Eat Right Station certification process involves rigorous audits of food vendors, food handlers training, adherence to strict hygiene and sanitation protocols and efforts to raise awareness among individuals to make informed food choices.
• Its tagline is Sahi Bhojan, Behtar Jeevan.
• Stations that meet these stringent criteria are awarded the “Eat Right Station” certification.
• This initiative not only benefits passengers but also empowers food vendors at railway stations.
• By adhering to food safety and hygiene standards, they gain credibility and attract more customers, ultimately boosting their livelihoods.
• FSSAI remains committed to further expanding the Eat Right Station program.
• The aim is to encompass all major railway stations and Metro stations, ensuring every passenger can enjoy safe and healthy food options regardless of their destination.
• This nationwide effort promises to contribute significantly to a healthier India.
• The station is awarded a certificate upon a conclusion of an FSSAI-empanelled third-party audit agency with ratings from 1 to 5.

Need for Food Safety

• There is increased demand for greater variety in food choices, and Indians are becoming more concerned about food quality and safety.
  • Monitoring by government agencies and NGOs has raised awareness and demand for safe food.
• In India, food-borne diseases can be erratic and often go unreported, but in a nationwide 2006 study, 13.2% of households reported food-borne illness.
• 4,20,000 people around the world die every year after eating contaminated food.
  • Children under 5 years of age carry 40% of the foodborne disease burden.
  • Children with 1,25, 000 deaths every year.
• Indian traditional and religious customs can clash with contemporary guidelines for food safety.
  • It’s possible that traditional food preparation and preservation techniques don’t meet modern safety requirements.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

• Establishment: FSSAI was established in August 2011 under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
• Statutory Body: Established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
• Mandate: It is responsible for setting standards for food products and regulating their manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale, and import.
• Scope: FSSAI’s jurisdiction covers all food businesses operating in India, whether they are involved in manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, or sale.
• Certification: FSSAI provides licenses and registration to food businesses based on their scale of operation and turnover. These certifications ensure compliance with food safety standards.
• Consumer Awareness: FSSAI conducts various awareness programs and campaigns to educate consumers about food safety and hygiene practices.
• Regulatory Framework: FSSAI collaborates with state food authorities to enforce food safety regulations effectively. It conducts inspections and audits of food establishments to ensure compliance with standards.

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