Sattvik Certifications has its presence in India, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and is planning to expand to Thailand, Canada and the US
New Delhi: Started in 2008, Sattvik Certifications is the world’s first vegetarian food safety and certification body. It has developed Standard Operating Procedures for vegetarian, vegan, Jain, Sattvam, and Bhuddhist food.
The organisation does the testing, inspection, audits and certification solutions of various industries and their products including food and beverage, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and textile. The veg-focused certification is aimed at providing 100% vegetarian or vegan food to consumers with specific dietary preferences.
The New Delhi-based firm has its presence in India, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and is planning to expand to Thailand, Canada and the US.
Some of the retail brands that are Sattvik-compliant include Bikanervala, GoodDot, Blue Tribe, TDH Food Products, and it has certified hotels ITC Vega Restaurant Bengal, Radisson Hotel Khajuraho, Trident Bhubaneswar, Taj Resort and Spa Gandhinagar so far. In India, railways caterer IRCTC serves 8,000-10,000 Satvik-certified meals daily in trains like Shatabdi, Rajdhani, and Vande Bharat, he said.
Recently, Tenali Double Horse Group became the first south Indian pulses and dals brand to get Sattvik Certification.
Indiaretailing interacted with Abhishek Biswas, founder of Sattvik Certifications, to know more about the process, the brands associated with the organization, and what are the future plans.
Edited Excerpts:
Q. What does Sattvik Certifications mean? How did the idea for such a certification come into existence?
A. Sattvik Certifications is the world’s leading vegetarian/vegan standard developing organisation ensuring food safety and regulatory compliance for vegetarian/vegan and related adherents worldwide. Our initiative is rooted in the vision to establish a dedicated food safety environment, specifically designed for the vegetarian/vegan consumer base in India and global markets. We have developed comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across all relevant domains to ensure a 100% vegetarian/vegan environment. It derives its uniqueness from its profound mission to revolutionise the world food industry by introducing the first-ever vegetarian and lifestyle certification. The name “Sattvik” itself holds cultural and philosophical significance, representing purity, goodness, and a holistic approach to living.
The idea for Sattvik Certifications emerged in response to the growing concerns about the food safety, quality, and transparency of the food supply chain. Throughout my travels, my friends and I encountered significant challenges in locating satisfying vegetarian meals. Finding assured vegetarian food was a constant struggle, leaving us with limited options, often prompting us to resort to cooking our own food at home. This difficulty wasn’t exclusive to vegetarians but extended to anyone culturally rooted in specific dietary preferences. It became evident that finding vegetarian, vegan, or Jain-assured food outside of India posed a real challenge. Motivated by this, I initiated research to explore how we could address this gap in the current industry. The goal was to create an environment where ordinary vegetarians, vegans, and travellers could enjoy their meals without any hesitation or uncertainty.
Q. What are the kinds of certifications that Sattvik does?
A. The Sattvik Council of India provides a range of certifications catering to diverse dietary preferences and cultural considerations, including Sattvik Vegetarian, Sattvik Vegan, Sattvik Jain, Sattvik Sattvam, and Sattvik Bhuddhist .
Q. How many retail brands are certified with Sattvik?
A. In the Food and Beverages sector, Sattvik has established partnerships with several renowned global brands, both in India and internationally. Notable certified entities include India Railway – Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation base Kitchen North Zone, Bikanervala India and Singapore, GoodDot, Chukde, Blue Tribe, Farmley, Mirtillo, Annakoot, Sri Sri Panchakarma, Varahi, ISKCON, Jagannatha Temple, Ikea, Govinda’s, Welex, M M Poonjiaji’s, Kumar Organic Products Limited, Dunkel Braun, Gharrkul, Ekyam, Davik, TDH, Tirupati & Tiryanc, Nineteen 78, Beyond Designs Bistro, Sampoorna Swadesi, Arya Bhavan, All About Vege, Krsna’s Free Meals, The Cream Connection, Happy Belly, Chandra Mahal, Siddh Peeth – Shree Lakshminarayana Temple, and others.
Sattvik’s certifications extend to esteemed hotels, including ITC Vega Restaurant Chennai, ITC Vega Restaurant Narmada, ITC Vega Restaurant Bengal, Radisson Hotel Khajuraho, Trident Bhubaneswar, Taj Resort and Spa Gandhinagar, Hyatt Regency Sarvatt Ahmedabad, Radisson Blu Ranchi, and Park Prime Ranchi, notably for the Women’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2023.
Q. What are the parameters for Sattvik certifications and how does it work?
A. In total, we have developed our 10 Sattvik Operation Manuals with 40 codes for the Food & Lifestyle industry. These manuals serve as guiding documents for operating a Sattvik Certified establishment, outlining essential Standard Operating Procedures (SoP), detailing prohibited products across various categories, and providing annexures, among other crucial information. Our certification and audit processes are entirely online, ensuring a systematic approach to rectify each nonconformity. To uphold the integrity of our audits, we exclusively authorize Sattvik Lead auditors to conduct these assessments.
Q. How is the process of certifying a retail brand different from certifying a restaurant? What are the technical issues that you face while certifying brands?
A. Certifying retail brands and restaurants involves distinct considerations. For retail brands, critical aspects encompass ingredient sourcing, production processes, and packaging. On the other hand, restaurant certifications focus on kitchen practices, menu offerings, and staff training. Technical challenges may include ensuring adherence to Sattvik standards throughout the supply chain, maintaining consistency, and addressing industry-specific issues.
Q. What is the general response from brands for Sattvik Certifications? Are there more brands willing to participate in the certification process?
A. The overall response from brands obtaining Sattvik certifications has been positive, evident through collaborations with global certified brands and hotels. The successful partnership with IRCTC, serving thousands of meals daily on trains, indicates growing acceptance. The extensive list of certified brands implies substantial interest and participation in the certification process.
Q. How is Sattvik Certifications different from brands that claim to be vegetarian or vegan? What does the certification help them achieve?
Sattvik Certifications provide consumers with confidence that a restaurant or product meets specific vegetarian & vegan standards, whether related to dietary choices, sustainability, or other ethical considerations. It sets a restaurant apart from others by highlighting its commitment to specific values or principles related to vegetarian and vegan serving and in its preparation. Sattvik Certifications takes the restaurants a level up by aligning the basic criteria related to food safety, hygiene, segregation in kitchen and practice Sattvik Vegetarian and Vegan SoPs of kitchen.
Q. Sattvik also seems to be addressing the religious sentiments of people — with categories like Jain and Buddhist food. How has this helped the organization?
A. The incorporation of categories like Sattvik Jain showcases Sattvik’s sensitivity to religious sentiments and diverse dietary preferences. This approach fosters inclusivity, accommodating various cultural and religious practices. It also opens avenues for collaboration with institutions or communities with specific dietary requirements.
Q. What does the future for Sattvik look like in the retail sector?
A. Sattvik’s future in the retail sector appears promising, given its successful ventures across industries and regions. As global awareness of vegetarianism, veganism, and mindful eating practices continues to rise, Sattvik’s certifications are likely to gain increased recognition. Anticipated growth includes a rising number of retail brands seeking certification as consumers prioritise health, sustainability, and cultural considerations in their food choices. Ongoing collaborations with renowned brands and expansion into new markets are expected to contribute to Sattvik’s sustained success.
