Indian Railways Ensures Quality Meals for Passengers
Indian Railways is dedicated to providing safe and high-quality meals to its passengers, serving around 580 million meals annually. Complaints regarding food quality are exceedingly rare, with only 0.0008% reported on average. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has taken serious action against food quality violations, enforcing penalties totaling ₹5.13 crore, issuing 54 show-cause notices, terminating six contracts, and debarring certain licensees for non-compliance with food hygiene standards.
Stringent Inspections and Compliance Measures
To uphold quality and safety in food services, IRCTC conducts regular and surprise inspections through its officials and Food Safety Officers. These inspections focus on vital areas including food safety protocols, employee management, and proper maintenance of kitchen equipment. Such measures ensure compliance with regulations while fostering best practices in food handling and preparation.
Ongoing Commitment to Food Safety
The commitment of Indian Railways to enhance food safety and hygiene continues to evolve. Key initiatives include:
- Providing meals exclusively from designated Base Kitchens.
- Establishing modern Base Kitchens at key locations for improved food preparation.
- Installing CCTV cameras in Base Kitchens to enable real-time monitoring of food processes.
- Choosing popular and branded raw materials for meal production.
- Assigning Food Safety Supervisors to oversee food safety standards in Base Kitchens.
- Deploying IRCTC supervisors on board trains to ensure service quality.
- Implementing QR codes on meal packets to enhance transparency regarding food safety and provide essential information to passengers. These codes include details such as packing dates and licensure information.
- Conducting regular deep cleaning and pest control in Base Kitchens and Pantry Cars.
- Mandating FSSAI certification for compliance with safety norms.
- Performing routine food sampling to monitor meal quality.
- Providing continuous training for catering staff to improve service skills and hygiene awareness.
- Engaging in third-party audits to evaluate hygiene and food quality in kitchens and Pantry Cars.
- Conducting customer satisfaction surveys to gather feedback on food services.
Government Accountability
This update on food safety initiatives was shared by Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, during a session in the Rajya Sabha, emphasizing the government’s commitment to maintaining high standards in passenger services.
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