Anand Vihar Railway Station gets “Eat Right Station” certification

‘Eat Healthy’ & ‘Eat Safe’ are the 2 cornerstones of “Eat Right Station” movement

To advocate the need of making healthy eating choices, Indian Railways launched “Eat Right Station” under ‘Eat Right India’ movement in 2018 in association with FSSAI. Under this Movement, Anand Vihar Terminal Railway Station (ANVT) situated in New Delhi has been certified as ‘Eat Right Station’ by Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and has also been rated as ‘Exemplary’. The Railway Station received 05 star rating and attained 92%, highest ever percentage achieved by any railway station across India.

ANVT, the Northern Railway Station was taken over by IRSDC w.e.f. 01.03.2019. The station has been judged on the parameters of compliance of food safety and hygiene, availability of healthy diet, food handling at preparation, transhipment & retail/serving point, food waste management, promotion of local & seasonal food and creating awareness on food safety and healthy diet.

FSSAI officials inspected catering establishments including Kiosks, Quick Food Joints, Food Plazas and also Station complex aspects like infrastructure, facilities of public washrooms, cleanliness thoroughly at the railway station and accordingly rated and certified the standard of the food at ANVT. Passengers at ANVT can choose their food from a variety of wholesome food options.  

Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Ltd. (IRSDC) has been mandated to maintain five railway stations of Indian Railway i.e. ANVT, Chandigarh, Pune, Secunderabad and Bangalore. Within a short span of few months, IRSDC has upgraded these stations with many new passenger amenities. Amidst the ongoing upgradation work at railway stations, receiving ‘Exemplary’ Certification from FSSAI has boosted the morale of IRSDC team members. 

MD & CEO, IRSDC, S.K. Lohia was handed over ‘Eat Right Station’ certification by Rita Teaotia, Chairperson, FSSAI. IRSDC has been able to set a benchmark by receiving this certification with 05 star rating and also 92%.

During the Certification ceremony held today at ANVT, MD & CEO, IRSDC said “We are thankful to have received seamless support from the Railway Minister and also Ministry of Railways. IRSDC has been able to trigger all the right points so far in the journey of railway station development/ redevelopment. I am happy today to have added one more feather in our cap. We surely have a long way to go and IRSDC is committed to bring a paradigm shift in Indian Railway Stations.” The eating facilities within the railway station premises, like Quick Food Joint, Amul Ice cream Parlour, The New Shop and other Food joints were also showcased to visiting dignitaries and media.

‘Eat Right Station’ movement aims to engage, excite and enable citizens to improve their health and well-being. Led by FSSAI, it is a collective effort to make both the demand and supply-side interventions through the engagement of key stakeholders. On the demand side, it focuses on social and behavioural change among citizens by asking them to make right food choice. On the supply side, it focuses on food businesses by asking them to reformulate their products, provide better nutritional information to consumers and make investments in healthy food as responsible food businesses. It includes maintaining hygiene and sanitation, proper waste disposal and following safe food practices.