The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) was felicitated by FSSAI during the closing ceremony of the Swasth Bharat Yatra in New Delhi. The Association was recognised for its contribution in arranging for refreshments and accommodation for delegates of the country’s apex food regulator and volunteers who cycled through the Western region promoting the Eat Right Initiative.

HRAWI also actively and independently promoted the campaign through its social media channels, which helped garner additional support towards the movement from member hotels and restaurants.

FSSAI launched Swasth Bharat Yatra, the world’s biggest cyclothon, to nudge people to eat right, on October 16, 2018. The Yatra covered a distance of over 20,000km, spanning several states and UTs (Union Territories) across India with over 10 lakh participants. It also led to the creation of 21,000 local Eat Right Champions, who plan to sustain this movement in the future.

The Swasth Bharat Yatra is India’s first-ever such initiative where the importance of balanced food consumption and healthy eating choices has been promoted on such a massive scale.

“We congratulate Pawan Kumar Agarwal, chief executive officer, FSSAI, for conceiving and executing an exemplary and visionary movement with the aim to prominently bringing food safety and nutrition into public consciousness. As an Association, we feel glad that our modest contribution has been recognised by FSSAI and we wish to thank all HRAWI members for their participation in the campaign,” said Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, president, HRAWI.

The day before the felicitation, Pradeep Shetty, on behalf of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), pledged to support FSSAI towards Save Food, Share Food, Share Joy. The day was dedicated to recognising and highlighting the regulator’s Hygiene Rating Scheme.

“HRAWI, and its parent body FHRAI are committed to promulgating FSSAI’s message
and, incorporating safe and right eating choices across the board. FHRAI congratulates FSSAI for the great initiative and thanks it for including us in the campaign. Besides FSSAI’s Hygiene Rating Scheme, the day also witnessed a discussion on Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO), where used oil would be converted to bio-diesel. This suggestion was well-received from the participating stakeholders and welcomed by the industry for partnering with the FSSAI in this important venture,” concluded Shetty, who serves as secretary, FHRAI.

Alongside, in association with FSSAI, HRAWI has been playing a pivotal role in the
Western region in building the capacity of trained food handlers across FBOs. Till date, the Association has conducted 36 FoSTaC (food safety training and certification) programmes that have helped in getting about 1,300 hospitality professionals trained and certified under the programme.