New Delhi, May 29 (BNP): The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a formal notice to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) over allegations of unhygienic practices in onboard catering services after a video circulating on social media allegedly showed utensils being washed inside a train toilet, raising serious concerns over passenger food safety and hygiene standards.
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Taking cognisance of the incident, FSSAI sought a detailed factual explanation from IRCTC and directed the agency to submit its comments on the matter. The food safety regulator observed that, if verified, the alleged practice would amount to a serious violation of hygiene and sanitary norms prescribed under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
Under the regulations, food business operators are required to maintain stringent hygiene protocols for food processing, handling, cleaning and washing to ensure that food and food-contact surfaces remain free from contamination. Officials emphasised that any lapse in compliance could pose potential health risks to passengers and undermine food safety standards in railway catering services.
FSSAI further reiterated that adherence to food safety regulations is mandatory for all catering operations, including services managed directly by IRCTC as well as those handled through contractual personnel engaged in onboard food distribution.
The incident has reignited public concern over hygiene and quality control in train catering, particularly on long-distance routes where thousands of passengers depend on onboard meals during travel. Experts and consumer groups have stressed the need for stricter monitoring, regular inspections and stronger enforcement of food safety protocols to improve accountability and ensure safe food handling practices.
IRCTC is expected to respond to the notice and clarify the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident, following which authorities may decide on appropriate corrective or regulatory measures.
The development once again underscores the importance of maintaining high hygiene standards in mass transit systems, where lapses in food safety can have wide-reaching implications for public health and passenger confidence.