In a remarkable shift from the stereotype of bland and poor-quality prison food, the district jail in Dasna, Ghaziabad, has achieved a significant milestone. It has been awarded a five-star 'exemplary' rating and the coveted 'Eat Right Campus' certification by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
A Culinary Transformation Behind Bars
This recognition is the result of a comprehensive and sustained overhaul of the jail's entire food ecosystem. Jail superintendent Sitaram Sharma detailed the multi-pronged approach that led to this achievement. The transformation began with intensive training for the inmates involved in cooking duties.
"We invited chefs from premium hotels to train around 100 inmates," Sharma explained. The training sessions were not just about recipes; they focused critically on hygiene, strict food safety protocols, and nutritious cooking practices. The core mission, as stated by the superintendent, was unequivocal: "Our priority was to ensure that every inmate receives safe and nutritious food every day."
High-Tech Kitchen and Rigorous Inspections
Parallel to the training, the jail's kitchen infrastructure underwent a complete renovation. The old facility was replaced with a modern modular kitchen fitted with high-end appliances. A key addition was the installation of automated roti-making machines, which helped standardise food quality and improve overall efficiency in serving the jail's population of approximately 3,500 inmates.
The 'Eat Right Campus' certification is a key component of FSSAI's nationwide 'Eat Right India' movement, which aims to instil healthy and sustainable food practices across various institutions, including prisons. Facilities are rigorously assessed on multiple parameters such as:
- Sanitation and hygiene
- Availability of balanced and nutritious meals
- Safe storage and preparation of food
- Efforts to incorporate local and seasonal ingredients
Officials revealed that Dasna jail underwent three thorough inspections over five months before finally being deemed worthy of the certification. During each visit, FSSAI teams scrutinised kitchen operations, storage facilities, and on-ground hygiene practices, providing recommendations that the jail administration promptly implemented.
Formal Recognition and a Growing Trend
The formal award ceremony took place on Wednesday during a joint inspection of the facility led by District and Sessions Judge Vinod Singh Rawat. The event also saw the inauguration of a herbal garden within the jail hospital premises. The judge and other officials inspected the barracks, the prison hospital, the Dr Sampurnanand Library, and various vocational training units.
With this achievement, Dasna jail joins an elite group of correctional facilities in Uttar Pradesh that have received this distinction. Fatehgarh district jail and Bulandshahr prison were the first to receive similar five-star ratings and the 'Eat Right Campus' certification back in 2022. The success at Dasna sets a new benchmark, proving that with dedicated effort, institutional food systems, even in challenging environments like prisons, can be transformed to prioritise health, safety, and dignity.
