Indian Railways to Tighten Food Quality Checks on Trains and Stations Under New IRCTC-QCI Agreement
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Indian Railways passengers can expect stricter food quality and hygiene checks on trains and at railway stations after the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Quality Council of India (QCI) to strengthen food safety standards.
Under the agreement, QCI will conduct independent, digital third-party audits of catering services on trains and food stalls and canteens at railway stations. The initiative aims to ensure that millions of passengers travelling by Indian Railways receive clean, safe and hygienic food.
Surprise Inspections to Check Food Quality
QCI-certified professionals will carry out surprise inspections of mobile catering units on trains and food outlets at railway stations at intervals of three and six months, without prior notice. Auditors will use a dedicated mobile application to record their findings and maintain transparency.
The digital inspection system will require geo-tagging, timestamps and photographic evidence to document the condition of food preparation and serving facilities. QCI will submit its digital audit report within 24 hours of completing an inspection, allowing authorities to take corrective or penal action against vendors if they identify violations.
The agreement also requires catering services to follow the standards prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and international food safety norms.
Three Areas of Food Safety Checks
The new monitoring system will focus on improving food quality, hygiene and catering practices across trains and railway stations. The main measures include:
- Safe food storage: Vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items will be kept separate, from the storage of raw ingredients to the cooking process. Food will also be stored at appropriate temperatures.
- Clean kitchens and serving areas: Food stalls and canteens at railway stations will face checks to ensure that cooking and serving areas meet the required hygiene standards.
- Staff hygiene: Catering workers will be required to maintain medical fitness, wear protective equipment such as gloves and caps, and behave courteously towards passengers.
Digital Reports to Help Authorities Act Faster
The 24-hour reporting system is intended to help authorities identify shortcomings and respond quickly when catering vendors fail to meet food safety requirements. Digital records and photographic evidence will allow inspectors to document violations and support action against the concerned vendors.
The partnership also aims to improve the overall quality of food services available to railway passengers. Regular inspections will cover both mobile catering units operating on trains and food stalls and canteens located at railway stations.
Passenger Feedback and Staff Training Planned
Beyond food safety inspections, the IRCTC-QCI partnership plans to introduce further improvements to catering services. These include customer satisfaction surveys to collect passenger feedback, upgrades to infrastructure and specialised training for catering staff.
The initiative seeks to strengthen food safety monitoring and improve hygiene standards across railway catering services, addressing concerns about the quality of food served during train journeys and at railway stations.
