Key Update

A viral social media video has once again raised questions about food hygiene practices on Indian Railways. The video shows a samosa vendor selling food under unsanitary conditions inside a moving train. The footage shows the vendor sitting on the floor while selling samosas to passengers. He talks on a mobile phone and rests his feet on an open crate containing the samosas meant for sale. He sits near the train door, directly beneath a wash basin, in what appears to be an unhygienic environment.

Contamination Risks Raise Alarm

The video has sparked concern among passengers and food safety advocates. Unhygienic surroundings can contaminate ready-to-eat foods such as samosas and increase the risk of foodborne illnesses. Experts warn that poor food handling and storage practices can expose consumers to harmful bacteria, potentially leading to diarrhoea, stomach infections, and other gastrointestinal illnesses.

This incident adds to a growing list of complaints and viral videos highlighting hygiene lapses in railway catering services. In recent years, passengers and consumer groups have repeatedly flagged poor food handling practices, cleanliness issues, and concerns about the quality of food sold on trains.

Calls for Stronger Monitoring

The incident has renewed demands for stricter monitoring and enforcement of food safety standards across railway catering operations. Passengers expect vendors and catering staff to prepare, store, and serve food under hygienic conditions. As the video continues to circulate online, it has reignited debate over the effectiveness of existing oversight measures and the need for stronger food safety compliance across the railway network.

Source: NDTV