Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that displaying food menus and rates in trains is now mandatory. Passengers must have access to menu cards, rate lists, and digital alerts detailing food prices.
“Menus of all food items along with rates are available on IRCTC’s website for passenger information. Printed menu cards are provided by waiters upon request,” Vaishnaw stated. Additionally, rate lists are displayed in pantry cars, and passengers receive SMS alerts with links to menus and tariffs for enhanced transparency.
Food quality and hygiene
To improve food quality and hygiene, meals are prepared in designated base kitchens equipped with modern facilities. CCTV cameras have been installed in these kitchens to oversee food preparation in real-time. The Railways has mandated the use of branded raw materials, including cooking oil, atta, rice, pulses, masala, paneer, and dairy products, to maintain food safety standards. Food safety supervisors have been deployed at base kitchens to monitor cleanliness and handling practices, while onboard IRCTC supervisors oversee catering services in trains.
Safety initiatives
QR codes on food packets now display key details such as the kitchen name and packaging date, allowing passengers to verify their meals. Regular deep cleaning and pest control are conducted in base kitchens and pantry cars. All catering units are required to have FSSAI certification to ensure compliance with food safety standards. Regular food sampling and inspections by designated food safety officers are carried out to maintain quality.
Third-Party Audits
Third-party audits are conducted to assess hygiene and food quality in pantry cars and base kitchens. Additionally, the Railways conducts customer satisfaction surveys to gather feedback from passengers about the food served on trains. “Third-party audit is done to examine hygiene and quality of food in pantry cars and base kitchens. Customer satisfaction surveys are also conducted,” Vaishnaw added.