SAI Bengaluru Awarded 5-Star ‘Eat Right Campus’ Certification by FSSAI

The certification places SAI regional centre Bengaluru in the ‘Exemplary’ category, setting a new standard in Athlete Nutrition and Food Safety

Rakesh Thapliyal

New Delhi/Bengaluru: The Sports Authority of India (SAI) National Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru, has been awarded the prestigious 5-Star ‘Eat Right Campus’ certification by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), for a period of two years, starting 7th July 2025 to 6th July 2027.

The certification was granted after a rigorous third-party audit based on FSSAI’s stringent parameters, including benchmarks for food safety, nutrition quality, sustainability, and awareness-building. Compliance requires trained food handlers, licensed kitchens, menu standards, and continuous monitoring of best practices.

Seasoned steeplechaser and middle-distance athlete Avinash Sable, who has been training at the campus since 2017, has been vocal about the massive change that has taken place at the campus over time, especially in dieting facilities. “There has a been a massive overhaul of benefits we get. From a world-class training facility to a dedicated recovery centre as well as the diet, the change has been significant over the years. I have trained in the US and Europe and SAI Bengaluru is just at par with them in every segment,” said Sable.

Shri Vishnu Sudhakaran, Regional Director, SAI Bengaluru, mentioned, “SAI Bangalore has been awarded the prestigious 5-Star Eat Right Campus certification by FSSAI, recognizing SAI’s sustained efforts to uphold the highest standards of food safety, nutrition, and athlete well-being at its campus. This achievement reflects SAI’s unwavering commitment to creating a world-class environment that enhances the overall athlete experience. It further motivates us to continually raise the bar and strengthen India’s sports ecosystem in line with global standards of excellence.”

This certification reflects SAI Bengaluru’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in food safety, hygiene, and athlete nutrition. The campus serves as a premier training hub for India’s elite athletes, including those participating in National Coaching Camps (NCC)—which host national team athletes in disciplines such as Hockey (Men and Women), Athletics and Racewalking, Table Tennis, Kabaddi, Volleyball—as well as those from the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE), Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Khelo India, and other SAI-supported programs.

“Be it during the national camps or even during normal days, athletes are given a variety of diet choices in the mess as per their liking. This is evaluated by the nutritionists and the food recommendations are based on the athletes’ bodyweight, blood reports, anthropometry tests and more,” said Gurmeet Singh, former Olympian race walker, currently working as a coach in the campus.

What sets SAI Bengaluru apart is its scientifically managed and performance-driven food system, with customized menus developed by a dedicated team of chefs, nutritionists, coaches, and sports scientists. The mess features individualized meal tracking, continental cuisine for international exposure, monthly menu reviews, and real-time athlete feedback systems. In-house production of energy bars and multigrain snacks, nutrition education sessions, and travel-specific meal planning are among the many initiatives ensuring holistic athlete support.

The ‘Eat Right Campus’ initiative by FSSAI promotes safe, healthy, and sustainable food practices in institutional campuses across India. Campuses are evaluated on food safety, nutrition, sustainability, and awareness, and awarded star ratings through rigorous third-party audits and training. A 5-star rating, the highest possible, signifies full compliance with FSSAI’s gold standards in institutional food environments.