Indian Railways has taken significant enforcement actions against food quality and hygiene violations over the last three years, imposing fines totaling ₹5.13 crore, issuing 54 show-cause notices, terminating 6 contracts, and debarring defaulting licensees. The list of debarred licensees is published on IRCTC's website for transparency.
Despite serving approximately 58 crore meals annually, the railway network maintains an exceptionally low complaint rate of only 0.0008% for food quality issues. The organization has implemented a comprehensive multi-layered inspection mechanism including regular and surprise inspections by Railway/IRCTC officials and Food Safety Officers. These inspections cover critical aspects such as food safety standards, staff deployment, equipment maintenance, cleanliness, and adherence to prescribed regulations while promoting best practices in food handling, storage, and preparation.
Several proactive measures have been introduced to enhance food safety: meals are supplied from designated Base Kitchens with modern facilities; CCTV cameras installed in Base Kitchens enable real-time monitoring of food preparation; popular and branded raw materials are prioritized for food production; Food Safety Supervisors are deployed at Base Kitchens to monitor practices; and on-board IRCTC supervisors are present on trains.
Additional safety features include QR codes on meal packets that provide passengers with details regarding packing date, licensee name, and FSSAI license number. Regular deep cleaning and periodic pest control are conducted in both Base Kitchens and Pantry Cars. Mandatory FSSAI certification ensures compliance with food safety norms, while regular food sampling forms part of the monitoring mechanism. IRCTC also conducts regular training for catering staff focusing on customer service, communication, courteous behaviour, service standards, personal grooming, and hygiene. Third-party audits examine hygiene and food quality in Pantry Cars and Base Kitchens, complemented by customer satisfaction surveys.
This information was formally provided by the Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.