Food Manifest 
Key Update
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has partnered with the Quality Council of India (QCI) to strengthen food safety monitoring. The initiative will introduce independent, technology-enabled audits of catering units on trains and at railway stations. It aims to improve hygiene, food quality and accountability among catering vendors. Under the agreement, QCI will conduct third-party audits to assess compliance with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations.
Comprehensive Food Safety and Hygiene Checks
The audits will cover food preparation, handling and storage. Inspectors will also assess staff hygiene, medical fitness, the use of protective equipment and pest control measures. In addition, they will check whether catering units store vegetarian and non-vegetarian raw ingredients separately and maintain proper temperatures for prepared meals. These checks will help identify potential risks and assess compliance with food safety standards.
Digital Monitoring for Greater Transparency
Auditors will use a mobile app to record their findings through photographs, geo-tags and timestamps. They must submit reports within 24 hours, enabling IRCTC to identify problems quickly, monitor compliance and track corrective action.
Strengthening Accountability in Railway Catering
The partnership aims to improve oversight of food served to railway passengers, both onboard trains and at stations. By combining independent inspections with digital reporting, IRCTC seeks to address hygiene concerns and promote consistent food safety practices across its catering network. The initiative also aims to improve transparency and reinforce the focus on passenger safety.
Source: The Indian Express
