Certification of Railway Stations as Eat Right Stations by FSSAI

Certification of Railway Stations as Eat Right Stations by FSSAI

Subject: Schemes

Objective:

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has certified nearly 150 railway stations across India as Eat Right Stations.
• This initiative is part of the Eat Right movement, aiming to ensure safe, hygienic, and nutritious food options in various settings.

Significance:

• Marks a significant milestone in advancing the Eat Right India movement.
• Provides safe, hygienic, and nutritious food choices for millions of passengers across India’s extensive railway network.

Accredited Stations:

• Railway Stations: New Delhi, Varanasi, Kolkata, Ujjain, Ayodhya Cantt, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Kozhikode, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Vadodra, Mysuru City, Bhopal, Anand Vihar Terminal (Delhi), and Puratchi Thalaivar Dr MG Ramachandran Central Railway Station (Chennai).
• Metro Stations: Noida Sector 51, Esplanade (Kolkata), IIT Kanpur, Botanical Garden (Noida), and Noida Electronic City Metro Station.

Achieving Food Safety:

• Certification signifies adherence to food safety standards, promoting healthier food choices.
• Enhances the overall dining experience for passengers and commuters.

Public Health Impact:

• Promotes public health by offering food options that meet safety and nutritional standards.
• Encourages a culture of healthy eating and well-being among travelers and commuters.

Eat Right Station’ certification

The ‘Eat Right Station’ certification awarded by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) signifies railway stations that excel in providing safe and wholesome food options to passengers.

• Certification Purpose: Recognizes railway stations that maintain high standards of food safety and hygiene for passengers.
• Certification Process:
  • Conducted by an FSSAI-empanelled third-party audit agency.
  • Stations are rated on a scale from 1 to 5 based on food safety, hygiene, and quality.
  • Upon conclusion of the audit, stations meeting the benchmarks receive the ‘Eat Right Station’ certificate.
  • Examples include Anand Vihar Terminal Railway Station (Delhi), Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Mumbai), Mumbai Central Railway Station (Mumbai), Vadodara Railway Station, and Chandigarh Railway Station.

What is the ‘Eat Right Movement’?

• Initiative: Led by FSSAI to revamp India’s food system for safe, healthy, and sustainable food practices.
• Tagline: ‘Sahi Bhojan, Behtar Jeevan’ (Right Food, Better Life).
• Alignment: Aligned with National Health Policy 2017, focusing on preventive healthcare and key programs like Ayushman Bharat, POSHAN Abhiyaan, Anaemia Mukt Bharat, and Swachh Bharat Mission.
• Approach:
  • Regulatory measures.
  • Capacity building initiatives.
  • Collaborations for effective food safety.
  • Empowerment programs for informed choices.

About FSSAI:

• Autonomous Body:
  • Operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
• Establishment:
  • Formed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, replacing previous food-related regulations.
• Objective:
  • Sets science-based standards for food articles.
  • Regulates food manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import to ensure safe consumption.

The ‘Eat Right Station’ certification and the broader ‘Eat Right Movement’ by FSSAI are pivotal in promoting safe, healthy, and sustainable food practices across India’s railway stations and beyond.

India’s Stance on E-Comm Moratorium at WTO

India has emphasized the need for a “re-examination” of the implications of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, especially concerning developing countries and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

This discussion took place at the working session on the work program on e-commerce during the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi.

Background:

• The moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions was decided by WTO members in 1998.
• This moratorium has been periodically extended at successive ministerial conferences.
• The current discussion revolves around whether to extend this moratorium

India’s Position:

• Revenue Loss Concerns:
  • India has expressed concerns about the substantial revenue loss that developing nations face due to this moratorium.
  • There has been no consensus on the scope of coverage of the moratorium.
• Technological Advancements:
  • India highlighted the ongoing digital revolution and the emergence of technologies like additive manufacturing, 3D printing, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things.
  • There is a need to re-examine the implications of the moratorium in light of these technological advancements.

Scope of Moratorium:

• India and South Africa pointed out that if the moratorium’s scope includes “transmission” only, it might be feasible to impose duties on content.
• However, if the scope extends to digitized and digitizable goods, it could have significant implications.
  • A joint submission mentioned items such as cinematograph films, books, newspapers, video games, computer software, and more.
  • The list could expand further as the digital economy evolves.

Revenue Impact:

• According to a 2017 study by UNCTAD, developing countries face an estimated annual revenue loss of $10 billion due to the moratorium.
• For India, the estimated loss could be over $500 million annually (based on 2017 figures).

Global Perspectives:

• Developed countries such as the US, Australia, the EU, and Japan are advocating for an extension of the moratorium.

India’s Suggestions:

• India emphasized the need for developing countries to enhance their domestic physical and digital infrastructure.
• Creating supportive policy frameworks and regulatory environments is crucial.
• Developing digital capabilities is also essential for participating in the evolving digital economy.

India’s stance reflects its concerns about revenue losses for developing nations, the evolving digital landscape, and the need for a comprehensive re-examination of the moratorium’s implications.