Trains are the most popular means of transport in India. Be it rural or urban areas, Indian Railways provides an economic journey for everyone over long distances. It is also useful for transporting heavy goods over long distances.
If trains are your go-to means of transport, there is good news for you. About 114 railway stations in India have received the prestigious ‘Eat Right Stations’ certifications. Out of which, about 21 stations are from Kerala.
This state ranks first all over the country by proving its dedication to providing passengers with hygienic and healthy food during their journey. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) gives this certification to railway stations that follow standards for food storage and hygiene.
However, only one percent of all railroad stations have received this recognition in total. India has about 7349 stations across the country and Kerala itself has 199. The main purpose of FSSAI behind this initiative is to ensure the availability of hygienic, nutritious, and safe-to-eat food at railway stations.
This certification guarantees the application of safe procedures when handling and cooking food. It covers all kinds of catering services available within stations, including stalls. To receive this prestigious certificate, water quality, cleanliness, sanitation, pest control, register maintenance, and food item inspection are examined.
Here is the list of Kerala’s railway stations that have received the certification.
- Kozhikode Railway Station
- Parapanangadi Railway Station
- Chalakkudy Railway Station
- Thalassery (TLY) Railway Station
- Kannur (Can) Railway Station
- Palakkad Junction Railway Station
- Chengannur Railway Station
- Shoranur Junction Railway Station
- Tirur Railway Station
- Vadakara Railway Station
- Changanasseri Railway Station
- Alappuzha Railway Station
- Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station
- Karunagappally Railway Station
- Angamali for Kaladi Railway Station
- Aluva Railway Station
- Tiruvalla Railway Junction
- Kottayam Railway Junction
- Thrissur Railway Station
- Thiruvananthapuram Railway Station
- Kollam Railway Station
The certification is one of the projects under the FSSAI-led Eat Right India campaign called the Eat Right Railway Station initiative. This initiative is to ensure that all food vendors at railway stations, including organised catering units, restaurants, and food courts, as well as small vendor kiosks, retail outlets, and booths, abide by safe cooking and handling practices while preparing or serving food to staff and passengers.
Railway stations that mark their excellence in providing healthy and safe food to passengers are awarded the ‘Eat Right Station’ certification. The procedure includes an audit by an independent firm appointed by the FSSAI. They evaluate the stations and assign them a grade between one and five.
A 5-star rating shows that the station is strictly following the guidelines and ensures that passengers have access to safe and hygienic meals. The accreditation is part of the ‘Eat Right India’ initiative by FSSAI, which is dedicated to improving the nation’s food system and guaranteeing sustainable, safe, and nutritious meals for every citizen of the country.