INDIA. Travel Food Services’ ‘Eat Better Travel Better’ campaign has won multiple plaudits from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). It has become the first Indian travel F&B company, and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International in Kolkata the first airport, to receive ‘Eat Right’ Place recognition from FSSAI.
The F&B operator and hospitality partner of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (and many other Indian airports) has elevated hygiene standards across its outlets and lounges amid the country’s raging COVID-19 crisis.
Travel Food Services (TFS) Kolkata has also received recognition from FSSAI for the efficient disposal of used cooking oil, having initiated the practice in January 2020. In the intervening months the company has processed over 1,200 kgs of used cooking oil.
Using cooking oil for repeated frying has adverse health effects. Instead it can be used as a feedstock for manufacturing biodiesel. Therefore, FSSAI has launched a scheme called Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) – an ecosystem to enable the collection and conversion of used cooking oil to biodiesel.
Biodiesel Association of India (BDAI), a non-profit national association representing the biofuels sector in India, has certified TFS with RUCO Recognition for managing oil processing as per the guidelines.
Spreading the safety message
TFS, in association with FSSAI and Airports Authority of India (AAI) Kolkata, has been conducting multiple training sessions with employees and associates to educate them about maintaining strict personal and respiratory hygiene.
Precautionary measures include the use of sanitizers at all touchpoints; the deployment of masks across the entire workforce; and temperature checks at all entry points for guests and employees.
Other measures include sensitizing TFS associates to the protocol prescribed by the Government authorities and the sanitization of all areas. Additional practices include the strict implementation of food safety measures, including chefs and other staff having to wash their hands every hour; and sanitizing all stations and tables regularly.
TFS in association with FSSAI believes in having an informed, attentive and careful approach to the pandemic, while keeping health, hygiene and safety at the crux of its operations.
TFS said: “With increased impetus given to hygiene and food safety behaviour in our kitchens to ensure adequate food safety measures, we are closely following all the public health advisories issued by government bodies and are taking stringent measures in adherence with the same.”
Third-party audit agencies have conducted audits and have certified TFS as an ‘Eat Right’ airport in the presence of FSSAI Regional Director, East & North East Colonel Pramod Dahitule.
He said, “It gives me immense pleasure to declare Kolkata Airport Travel Food Services as a 5 Star Hygiene-Rated, RuCO-compliant Eat Right Airport, setting highest standards in Hygiene and Health-related food preparation activities to ensure safe travel.
“Safe, nutritious and healthy food is important key to good health. TFS is ensuring informed choices to consumers, contributing greatly to public health and safe travel experiences.”
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport Director Shri Kaushik Bhattacharjee echoed the importance of food safety and hygiene. “It is indeed a proud moment for AAI & Kolkata Airport as TFS, our hospitality partner, gets FSSAI recognition with RUCO compliance.
“This is another step towards our goal of providing world-class passenger services. I compliment TFS for their endeavour during these tough times in ensuring safe and hygienic services as well as committing to the recycling of waste.”
TFS COO and Business Head Gaurav Dewan said, “In these immensely trying COVID times, I would like to share our heartfelt thank-you to our colleagues, customers, partners, and the FSSAI team for providing support in implementing measures to ensure our practices and business operations are safe while securing business operations and positive customer service.”
