Chennai’s Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station
New Delhi: So far 150 railway stations across the country have been certified as ‘Eat Right Station’ by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), ensuring “safe, hygienic, and nutritious” food options for passengers who traverse the country’s vast railway network.
Six metro stations across the country have also joined the effort and have been accredited as ‘Eat Right Station’. They are Noida Sector 51, Esplanade (Kolkata), IIT Kanpur, Botanical Garden (Noida) and Noida Electronic City metro stations.
The ‘Eat Right Station’ certification process involves “rigorous” audits of food vendors, training of food handlers, adherence to strict hygiene and sanitation protocols and efforts to raise awareness among individuals to make informed food choices, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, stated today. Stations that meet these stringent criteria are awarded the ‘Eat Right Station’ certification.
Some of the prominent stations that have been certified as ‘Eat Right Station’ are the railway stations in New Delhi, Varanasi, Kolkata, Ujjain, Ayodhya Cantt, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Kozhikode, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Vadodara, Mysuru City, Bhopal, Igatpuri, Delhi’s Anand Vihar Terminal and Chennai’s Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station, among many others from different states.
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, the Ministry stated.
FSSAI stated it remains committed to further expanding the ‘Eat Right Station’ programme. “The aim is to encompass all major railway stations and metro stations, ensuring every passenger, regardless of their destination, can enjoy safe and healthy food options throughout their journey. This nationwide effort promises to contribute significantly to a healthier India,” it stated.
– global bihari bureau
