150 Railway Stations awarded by FSSAI 'Eat Right Station' Certification

The Eat Right Station initiative has accomplished a remarkable feat as it has certified 150 railway stations nationwide. 

• This certification indicates the strict compliance of food safety, hygiene, and nutrition standards. This ensures that the passengers can access healthy and safe meals during their travels.

Prominent Certified Stations

• Several railway stations across India have been certified as Eat Right Stations, including New Delhi, Varanasi, Kolkata, Ujjain, Ayodhya Cantt, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Kozhikode, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Vadodara, Mysore City, Bhopal, Igatpuri, Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi, and Chennai's Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station. 
• The Eat Right Station initiative benefits passengers and helps food vendors at railway stations. 
• By complying with food safety and hygiene standards, vendors can improve their credibility, attract more customers, and ultimately enhance their livelihoods.

What is the 'Eat Right Station' Certification?

• The 'Eat Right Station certification is an initiative by FSSAI that recognizes railway stations that provide passengers with safe and nutritious food. 
• After an FSSAI-approved third-party audit agency evaluation, stations are awarded certificates with ratings ranging from 1 to 5 stars, with a 5-star rating indicating full compliance with food safety and hygiene standards. 
• This certification is an important part of the 'Eat Right India' movement, a comprehensive initiative by FSSAI aimed at revolutionizing the country's food system to ensure everyone's safety, health, and sustainability. 
• Through regulatory measures, capacity-building efforts, collaboration, and empowerment, Eat Right India strives to ensure that food is suitable for people and the planet.
• This movement aims to ensure that every passenger, regardless of their destination, has access to safe and healthy food options throughout their journey. 

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):

• Established: 2008
• Headquarters: Delhi

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory body. Which was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS). 

It functions under the administrative supervision of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

• The FSS Act 2006 consolidates various Acts and Orders related to food issues across different ministries and departments. For example -
  • Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954
  • Fruit Products Order, 1955
  • Meat Food Products Order, 1973
  • Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947
  • Edible Oil Packaging (Regulation) Order, 1988
  • Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992
  • The FSS Act of 2006 replaced laws like the FSS Act, 2006, etc.
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was established in 2008. However, it began functioning effectively in 2011 after its rules and key regulations were notified. This marked a shift from multi-level to single control, emphasizing self-compliance rather than purely regulatory governance.

Major procedures to be followed by FSSAI:

• Grant of license for food business
• Ensuring compliance through inspection
• Testing food for compliance with standards
• setting standards for food products
• develop safe food practices
• Improving compliance by building capacity
• ensuring citizen access

Main functions of FSSAI:

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has a set of objectives to achieve. 
• These include determining rules for setting food safety standards and guidelines, providing licensing and certification to food businesses, establishing procedures and guidelines for laboratories working in food businesses, and advising the government on policy-making related to food safety. 
• FSSAI also collects data about contaminants in food products and identifies emerging risks, which helps initiate early warning systems.
• The authority aims to create an information network nationwide regarding food security and increase general awareness about food safety and standards.

Structure of FSSAI:

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) comprises 22 members, including a Chairman. One-third of the members are women. The Central Government appoints the Chairman. 
• The Food Authority is supported by scientific committees, panels, and a Central Advisory Committee to establish standards in conjunction with enforcement agencies. 
• The primary responsibility for enforcing food safety regulations lies with the State Food Safety Commissioners.