In Ernakulam, only eight institutions have earned the prestigious ‘Eat Right Campus’ certification from FSSAI as of the end of October. The initiative, which focuses on promoting safe, healthy, and sustainable food practices within campus environments, aims to combat food-borne illnesses, deficiency diseases, and non-communicable diseases.
Among the certified institutions are four anganwadis in Ernakulam and Thrikkakara Assembly constituencies, the Ernakulam District Jail in Kakkanad, two private hospitals (Rajagiri Hospital and Aster Medcity), and the National University of Advanced Legal Studies in Kalamassery. The Department of Food Safety acknowledges the slow certification rate, attributing it to the intricate evaluation process involving various stages.
The evaluation process includes training food handlers through the FSSAI’s Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) program. However, the certification progresses in phases, contingent on the timely release of funds from the FSSAI, with each FoSTaC program incurring a cost of approximately ₹16,000. Additionally, the third-party auditing agency, enlisted by the FSSAI, requires a payment of ₹10,000.
Institutions seeking the ‘Eat Right Campus’ certification undergo assessment based on specific parameters, encompassing food safety measures, efforts to provide healthy and environmentally sustainable food, and initiatives to raise awareness among campus individuals regarding making informed food choices. Institutions that meet the criteria and score three or more stars on a five-star scale are awarded certificates. The Department of Food Safety emphasizes the importance of this stringent process in achieving the overarching goal of promoting a culture of responsible and health-conscious food practices on campuses.