Eastern Railway Conducts Training Session for Safer and Healthier Food at Railway Stations
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Kolkata, Dec 29 (NationPress) The food offered at railway stations and associated establishments is set to become safer and healthier due to the efforts of Eastern Railway (ER), which organized an extensive Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) session on Saturday. This initiative is part of the nationwide 'Eat Right Campus and Station' program spearheaded by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
"The medical department of ER has made noteworthy advancements towards improving food safety and endorsing healthier eating practices within its railway jurisdiction. This initiative aims to cultivate safe, healthy, and sustainable food practices, and the FoSTaC session was held at the Joint Food Safety Commissioner’s office located at Old Koilaghat Building in Kolkata," stated Kausik Mitra, CPRO, ER.
The session saw participation from senior officials of ER and IRCTC, including Dr. Anupam Sett, additional chief medical director; Dr. Sanghamitra Chatterjee, additional chief medical superintendent, ER; Manoj Kumar Singh, chief general manager, IRCTC, Eastern Zone, among others. The session was facilitated by Prof. Deborshi De, a prominent food safety expert and representative of Parikshan, FSSAI’s training partner.
"This all-day workshop concentrated on providing Food Business Operators (FBOs) and food handlers from various essential stations and establishments under ER, such as the General Manager's Staff Canteen, B R Singh Hospital, and the Kolkata, Baharampore Court, and Murshidabad stations, with crucial knowledge and certification in food safety practices," Mitra explained.
"The ‘Eat Right Campus’ and ‘Eat Right Station’ programs, initiated by FSSAI, strive to enhance public health by advocating for safe, nutritious, and environmentally sustainable food options. These initiatives are designed to be executed across campuses, workplaces, hospitals, and railway stations, targeting an extensive range of stakeholders, including food handlers, business operators, and consumers. The main objective is to ensure the well-being of individuals while fostering the social and economic growth of the nation," he added.
The FoSTaC training covered a broad spectrum of subjects, including food safety regulations, hygiene practices, waste management, and the significance of promoting healthy and sustainable food. The program is aimed at empowering food handlers with the necessary skills and knowledge to comply with FSSAI’s stringent food safety standards and to support the vision of an "Eat Right" nation.
FSSAI is a statutory entity under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, tasked with regulating and supervising food safety and standards across the country.
Through initiatives like 'Eat Right Campus' and 'Eat Right Station', FSSAI aims to foster awareness regarding safe and healthy food choices and promote responsible food consumption.
Conversely, ER is among the oldest and busiest railway zones in India, managing an extensive network of railway stations, hospitals, and other critical facilities. According to Mitra, as part of its ongoing dedication to passenger health and safety, ER is actively involved in endeavors to promote food safety and health-conscious practices throughout its network.
