Train journey: Indian Railways undertake measures to serve quality food to passengers

The Indian Railways is one of the world’s oldest and largest public transport networks. Lakhs of people depend on the Indian Railways to travel to different parts of the country at an affordable price.

For the train passengers, quality food has always remained a challenge and a top focus area for the Indian Railways.

Time and again, the Indian Railways has adopted new methods to ensure that the passengers are supplied with good quality food while on the go. The Indian Railways recently informed to have undertaken a slew of measures to ensure good quality and hygienic food to passengers. Most importantly, the food items in trains are sold at the pre-notified tariff.

Here is a complete list of measures taken by the Indian Railways in this regard.

Supply of meals from designated Base Kitchens.

Commissioning of modern Base Kitchens at identified locations.

Installation of CCTV Cameras in Base Kitchens for better monitoring of food preparation.

Shortlisting and use of popular and branded raw materials, like cooking oil, atta, rice, pulses, masala items, paneer, dairy products etc. for food production.

Deployment of Food Safety Supervisors at Base Kitchens to monitor food safety and hygienic practices.

Deployment of on-board IRCTC supervisors on trains.

Introduction of QR codes on food packets, enabling display of details like name of kitchen, date of packaging etc.

Regular deep cleaning and periodical pest control (every 15 days) in Base Kitchens and Pantry Cars.

In order to ensure compliance with Food Safety Norms, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) certification from designated Food Safety Officers of each catering unit has been made mandatory.

Regular food sampling as a part of the inspection and monitoring mechanism to ensure the quality of food on trains.

A third-party Audit is done to examine the hygiene and quality of food in Pantry Cars and Base Kitchens. A customer satisfaction survey is also conducted.

Regular and surprise inspections by Railway/ IRCTC officials, including Food Safety Officers.