Indian Railways serves nearly 58 crore meals every year on average, while food quality-related complaints account for only around 0.0008% of the total meals served, according to information shared by Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw in the Rajya Sabha.
The Railway Ministry said that strict monitoring and corrective measures are being undertaken to ensure that passengers receive safe, hygienic and quality food during their journeys.
₹5.13 Crore Fine Imposed Over Food Quality Violations
Based on complaints received over the past three years, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has taken penal action against licensees and catering service providers found violating food quality and hygiene standards.
The measures include imposing fines amounting to ₹5.13 crore, issuing 54 show-cause notices and terminating six contracts.
Licensees involved in food quality and hygiene violations have also been debarred. The list of debarred licensees is made available on the IRCTC website, supporting greater transparency in the railway catering system.
Regular and Surprise Inspections Conducted
Railway and IRCTC officials, including Food Safety Officers, conduct both regular and surprise inspections to monitor food quality, hygiene, safety and compliance with prescribed regulations.
The inspections examine several critical areas, including food preparation and safety, deployment of catering staff, maintenance of equipment, cleanliness and adherence to established standards.
Officials also monitor food handling, storage and preparation practices to ensure that recommended safety procedures are followed across catering facilities.
Modern Base Kitchens and CCTV Monitoring
Indian Railways has introduced several measures to improve the quality and safety of meals supplied to passengers.
Meals are supplied from designated Base Kitchens, while modern Base Kitchens are being commissioned at identified locations. CCTV cameras have also been installed in Base Kitchens to facilitate real-time monitoring of food preparation.
The railway catering system is also focusing on the selection and use of popular and branded raw materials for food production.
Food Safety Supervisors have been deployed at Base Kitchens to monitor food safety practices, hygiene and compliance with prescribed standards.
QR Codes Provide Food Details to Passengers
To improve transparency and passenger awareness, QR codes have been introduced on meal packets supplied on trains.
Passengers can use these codes to access key information, including the date of packing, the name of the licensee and the FSSAI licence number associated with the food supply.
IRCTC supervisors are also deployed onboard trains to monitor catering services and help ensure that prescribed standards are maintained during journeys.
Regular Cleaning and Food Sampling
Railway authorities have strengthened hygiene measures through regular deep cleaning and periodic pest-control activities in Base Kitchens and Pantry Cars.
Regular food sampling is also carried out as part of the monitoring mechanism to assess the quality and safety of food served on trains.
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Mandatory Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) certification is another important requirement aimed at ensuring compliance with food safety norms.
Training for Catering Staff
IRCTC conducts regular training programmes for catering personnel to improve both service quality and hygiene standards.
The training focuses on areas such as communication with passengers, courteous behaviour, service standards, personal grooming and personal hygiene.
The objective is not only to improve the quality of food but also to enhance the overall experience of passengers using railway catering services.
Third-Party Audits and Passenger Feedback
Third-party audits are conducted to independently assess hygiene and food quality in Pantry Cars and Base Kitchens.
Indian Railways also conducts customer satisfaction surveys to gather feedback from passengers and identify areas requiring improvement.
The Railway Ministry said that these measures form part of its continuing efforts to provide passengers with safe, hygienic and good-quality food in accordance with prescribed norms.
With nearly 58 crore meals served annually, the extensive inspection, monitoring and enforcement system is aimed at maintaining food safety across the railway catering network while taking strict action against violations.
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