The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): In an era where millions of Indians commute through railways daily, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been a beacon of change with its Eat Right Station initiative. This pivotal program has successfully certified 150 railway stations nationwide as Eat Right Stations, establishing a new benchmark in the Eat Right India campaign. This initiative ensures that passengers have access to food that is not only safe and clean but also nutritious as they travel across the country’s extensive rail network.
The certification for becoming an “Eat Right Station” is thorough and stringent. It encompasses extensive audits of the food vendors operating within the stations, comprehensive training sessions for the food handlers, and a strict adherence to hygiene and sanitation standards. Additionally, it includes efforts to educate the public on making healthier food choices. Only the stations that meet these rigorous standards are awarded the coveted “Eat Right Station” certification.
Key railway stations such as those in New Delhi, Varanasi, Kolkata, Ujjain, Ayodhya Cantt, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Kozhikode, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Vadodara, Mysuru City, Bhopal, Igatpuri, as well as Delhi’s Anand Vihar Terminal and Chennai’s Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station, are among the many across various states to receive this prestigious certification.
Beyond benefiting the myriad passengers, this initiative significantly aids the food vendors at these stations. By complying with the established food safety and hygiene protocols, these vendors not only enhance their reputation but also draw in more customers, which in turn, improves their economic wellbeing.
Moreover, this initiative has expanded beyond railway stations to include six metro stations across the country, namely Noida Sector 51, Esplanade (Kolkata), IIT Kanpur, Botanical Garden (Noida), and Noida Electronic City Metro Station, all of which have been recognized as Eat Right Stations.
FSSAI’s dedication to extending the Eat Right Station program is unwavering. The goal is to cover all major railway and metro stations across India, ensuring that every traveler, no matter their destination, has the opportunity to choose safe and healthy food options during their journey. This ambitious national endeavor is set to make a substantial contribution towards fostering a healthier India.