The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a statutory notice to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) over alleged food safety and hygiene violations on board Train No. 12223, the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Ernakulam Duronto Express. The action follows a viral social media video that purportedly showed catering staff washing utensils inside a train toilet.
Viral Video Sparks Food Safety Concerns
In the notice, FSSAI stated that the incident came to its attention through a video circulating on social media, which allegedly depicted utensils used for onboard catering services being cleaned inside toilet premises by catering staff or contractual personnel engaged on the train. The regulator described the allegations as 'extremely unhygienic' and a serious food safety concern.
Regulatory Violations Cited
FSSAI directed IRCTC to immediately submit a comprehensive Action Taken Report (ATR) and provide a detailed explanation regarding the incident. The notice emphasized that the alleged act, if found true, reflects extremely unhygienic food handling practices and contravenes the hygiene and sanitary requirements prescribed under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
According to FSSAI, the regulations require food business operators to maintain hygienic processing, handling, washing, and cleaning practices to prevent contamination of food and food-contact surfaces. The regulator further noted that washing utensils in toilet areas poses serious contamination risks and is highly objectionable from a food safety perspective. Such practices can adversely impact public health and undermine consumer confidence in railway catering services.
Accountability and Corrective Measures Sought
Seeking accountability, FSSAI has asked IRCTC to furnish factual comments on the incident and clarify whether catering operations on the train were being run through a contractor or licensee. The regulator has also sought details of the contractor, including its valid FSSAI licence number, if applicable. Additionally, IRCTC has been directed to provide information on the immediate corrective measures taken following the incident and the action initiated against the contractor or staff found responsible for the alleged violation.
Training and Compliance Requirements
The food safety authority has also requested details of Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) programmes undertaken by food handlers and catering personnel deployed on the train, including the category and validity of their training. FSSAI instructed IRCTC to ensure strict compliance with Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Regulations to prevent any recurrence of such incidents in the future.
Urgent Response Required
The regulator asked IRCTC to treat the matter as urgent and submit its response along with the action taken report by today. This notice underscores the importance of maintaining hygiene standards in railway catering services to protect public health and restore consumer trust.
