The “Eat Right India” initiative
The “Eat Right India” initiative is a flagship movement launched by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It aims to transform the country’s food system to ensure safe, healthy, and sustainable diets for all citizens.
Key Objectives of Eat Right India:
Promote Safe Food
Improve hygiene and sanitation across the food supply chain (from production to consumption).
Conduct regular food safety audits and inspections.
Encourage Healthy Eating
Raise awareness about healthy diets and lifestyle choices.
Promote reduction in the consumption of salt, sugar, and trans fats.
Advocate for food fortification (adding essential micronutrients like iron, vitamin A, D, etc.).
Ensure Sustainable Food Systems
Encourage local and seasonal food consumption.
Minimize food wastage.
Promote environmentally friendly food practices.
Major Components and Campaigns:
Eat Right Campus: Certification of workplaces, schools, and colleges that ensure healthy and hygienic food.
Eat Right School: Educates children about healthy eating habits and food safety.
Eat Right Toolkit: Offers resources for cities and communities to implement the campaign.
Hygiene Rating and Safe Food Practices: Rates food establishments for hygiene and safety standards.
Diet4Life: Aims to support people with metabolic disorders and rare diseases through nutrition.
Food Fortification Resource Centre (FFRC): Supports fortification of staples like rice, wheat flour, oil, and milk.
Recognition and Impact:
The initiative is aligned with:
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-2: Zero Hunger & SDG-3: Good Health and Well-being)
WHO’s Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health
In 2020, FSSAI’s “Eat Right India” was recognized by the UN Food Systems Summit as one of the top 50 “Best Small Business Call to Action” global initiatives.