Indian Railways Takes Strict Action Against Catering Violations
Penalties Imposed on Caterers
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New Delhi, Aug 7: The Indian Railways has levied fines amounting to Rs 5.13 crore on catering services and has terminated six contracts due to breaches in food quality and hygiene standards over the past three years, as reported to Parliament on Friday.
In response to an inquiry, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who oversees Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, stated in the Rajya Sabha that the actions taken included issuing 54 show-cause notices and disqualifying several licensees for failing to meet food safety and hygiene regulations.
This enforcement action is noteworthy, especially considering that complaints regarding food quality constitute a minuscule portion of the total catering services offered by the national railway.
According to Vaishnaw, Indian Railways serves approximately 58 crore meals each year, with food quality complaints accounting for only about 0.0008 percent of the total meals provided.
He mentioned that the names of debarred licensees are available on the IRCTC website.
To enhance food safety and bolster passenger trust, Indian Railways, in collaboration with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), has implemented various measures, including routine and surprise inspections conducted by railway officials and Food Safety Officers.
These inspections assess food quality, hygiene, staff allocation, equipment upkeep, and adherence to regulatory standards.
Additionally, the Railways has increased the use of designated base kitchens and established modern kitchen facilities at selected locations. CCTV cameras have been installed in these kitchens to monitor food preparation in real-time, and Food Safety Supervisors have been assigned to ensure hygiene compliance.
To improve transparency and food safety, QR codes have been added to meal packets on trains, allowing passengers to scan and view information such as packing date, licensee name, and FSSAI license number.
Other initiatives include sourcing branded raw materials, conducting regular food sampling, implementing periodic pest control, deep cleaning of pantry cars and kitchens, ensuring mandatory FSSAI certification, performing third-party audits, and conducting customer satisfaction surveys.
Vaishnaw also noted that IRCTC regularly organizes training sessions for catering staff, emphasizing customer service, communication skills, personal grooming, and hygiene standards.
He affirmed that Indian Railways is committed to taking all necessary measures to guarantee that passengers receive safe, hygienic, and high-quality food during their travels.