FSSAI Felicitates HRAWI For Outstanding Contribution Towards Swasth Bharat Yatra

Mumbai, 20 February 2019: The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) was felicitated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) during the concluding ceremony of the Swasth Bharat Yatra at New Delhi on 29^th Jan, 2019. The Association was recognised for its valuable contribution in arranging refreshments and accommodation for FSSAI’s delegates and volunteers who cycled through the Western region promoting the Eat Right Initiative. The 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 had launched Swasth Bharat Yatra, the world’s biggest cyclothon to nudge people to ‘Eat Right’, on 16^th Oct 2018. The Yatra covered over 20,000 km across several States and UTs across India with more than 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 Shri Pawan Kumar Agarwal 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 recognized by FSSAI and we wish to thank all HRAWI members for their participation in the campaign,” says Mr. Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, President, HRAWI.

On a preceding day, 28^th Jan 2018, on behalf of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) Mr. Pradeep Shetty pledged to support FSSAI towards ‘Save Food, Share Food, Share Joy’. The day was dedicated to recognizing and highlighting FSSAI’s Hygiene Rating Scheme.

“The 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 to 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 has been welcomed by the industry for partnering with the FSSAI in this important venture,” concludes Mr. Pradeep Shetty, Hon. Secretary, FHRAI.

Alongside, in association with FSSAI, the 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 thirty-six FoSTaC programmes that have helped in getting close to 1300 hospitality professionals trained and certified under the programme.

About Hotel & Restaurant Association Western India (HRAWI)

The Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) is a 68 years old Association of Hotels and Restaurants in Western India. Its members include various restaurants and smaller Hotels up to 5-Star Deluxe categories. The bulk of its members like any growth economy are made up of restaurants and budget hotels. With membership base spread across Western India, HRAWI covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and the Union Territories of Daman, Diu & Silvassa, and is considered to be the voice of the Hotel Industry. The association is part of the national body of Federation of the Hotels & Restaurants Associations of India (FHRAI), located in New Delhi, which was originally founded in Mumbai in 1950 by the late Mr. J.R.D. Tata.