IRCTC & QCI Join Hands to Overhaul Railway Catering Hygiene
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has taken a significant step toward ensuring safer and cleaner meals for passengers. By signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Quality Council of India (QCI) on October 15, 2026, the organization is set to implement a rigorous, technology-driven monitoring framework for food safety across the entire railway network.
Tech-Driven Food Safety Monitoring
This new initiative is designed to enforce strict compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations and international culinary standards. The monitoring will cover both mobile catering units operating on trains and static catering units located at railway stations.
Digital Audits and Unannounced Inspections
To ensure transparency and high standards, the QCI will deploy certified professionals to conduct unannounced inspections on a quarterly and half-yearly basis. The audit process will be modernized through QCI's digital infrastructure, ensuring that findings are accurate and immediate.
The inspection mechanism will include:
- Mobile App Reporting: Inspectors are required to submit their reports within 24 hours via a dedicated mobile application.
- Geo-tagging and Time-stamping: Mandatory digital markers to verify the exact location and time of the inspection.
- Photographic Evidence: Inspectors must provide photos to document the actual hygiene conditions on-site.
If any operational deficiencies are detected, the system will trigger immediate Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) protocols to address and resolve the issues.
Comprehensive Hygiene and Safety Standards
The inspections will go beyond surface-level cleanliness, focusing on technical mandates and operational protocols. The QCI will evaluate several critical areas, including:
- Food preparation and storage facilities.
- Hygiene protocols and staff medical fitness.
- Staff grooming and the use of protective equipment.
- Strict segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian raw materials.
- Maintenance of temperature-controlled meal holding.
- Verified and documented pest control measures.
Leadership at the Signing Ceremony
The MoU was signed in the presence of key officials, including IRCTC Chairman and Managing Director Rahul Himalian, Director of Catering Services Manoj Kumar Sharma, and General Manager of Quality and Projects Sudhir Warrier. Representing the Quality Council of India were Subroto Ghosh, Ramanand Nagender Shukla, and Mohit Padhi.