The display of menus and rate lists for food items served to passengers in trains is now mandatory, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. He stated that passengers can access the menu and pricing details on the IRCTC website, while printed menu cards are available with waiters and provided upon request. Additionally, rate lists are displayed inside pantry cars for transparency.
To further improve awareness, the Indian Railways has also started sending SMS alerts to passengers with a link to the menu and tariff details, Vaishnaw said in his written reply.
Measures to Enhance Food Quality and Hygiene
Addressing concerns about hygiene and food quality on trains, the minister highlighted several key measures, including:
- Supply from Designated Kitchens: Meals are sourced from certified base kitchens to ensure consistency in quality.
- Modern Base Kitchens: State-of-the-art kitchens are being set up at selected locations to improve food preparation standards.
- CCTV Surveillance: Cameras have been installed in base kitchens for better monitoring of hygiene practices.
- Use of Branded Ingredients: Popular and branded raw materials such as cooking oil, atta (flour), rice, pulses, spices, paneer, and dairy products are being used.
- Food Safety Supervisors: Special supervisors are deployed at base kitchens to monitor hygiene standards.
Enhanced Monitoring and Inspection
To ensure food safety, on-board IRCTC supervisors are assigned to trains, and QR codes have been introduced on food packets. These QR codes allow passengers to check details such as the name of the kitchen and the date of packaging.
Additionally, regular deep cleaning and periodic pest control are conducted in base kitchens and pantry cars. The minister also emphasized that obtaining certification from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been made mandatory for all catering units.
Third-Party Audits and Passenger Feedback
Railways has introduced third-party audits to assess hygiene levels in pantry cars and base kitchens. Customer satisfaction surveys are also conducted to gather feedback and improve services.
Sources By Agencies