Report

Kochi Corporation sealed a private railway catering facility in Kadavanthra after health officials found unhygienic and contaminated food meant for several trains, including the Vande Bharat Express. A surprise inspection exposed serious lapses in food safety and sanitation. Following the raid, both Kochi Corporation and the Railway authorities launched a formal inquiry to determine how the facility continued operating despite repeated violations.

IRCTC Asked to Submit Report

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), which oversees catering services on Vande Bharat trains, has formally submitted a request for a detailed report from the contractor involved. Officials from the Southern Railway zone confirmed that they are reviewing vendor selection, food safety audits, and compliance protocols. A senior railway official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “We have asked the vendor for a detailed explanation and are evaluating the inspection findings. Based on the inquiry’s outcome, we will take strict action, including blacklisting the contractor if necessary.”

FSSAI Involvement and Food Sample Testing

Following the incident, authorities notified the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). They sent samples of the seized food—including meat dishes, boiled eggs, and sambar—for laboratory testing to assess microbial contamination and compliance with food safety standards. Officials expect the results in the coming days. Health officials confirmed that they had previously issued multiple notices and fines to the facility for violations such as poor hygiene, improper waste disposal, and unsafe storage conditions. Despite this, the facility continued operating and supplied food to trains through private contracts.

IRCTC’s Vendor Oversight Under Scrutiny

The incident has raised fresh questions about how IRCTC monitors outsourced catering services. Although IRCTC is responsible for ensuring quality and safety, it often hands over food preparation to third-party vendors, which causes inconsistent enforcement of standards. Consumer rights groups have urged Indian Railways and IRCTC to revisit their vendor empanelment policies and conduct regular, independent audits to prevent such incidents from recurring.

Local Reaction and Public Health Concerns

Residents who had been raising complaints about the facility for months welcomed the sealing action. Many had reported foul smells, open dumping of food waste, and suspected the presence of pests in and around the facility. Corporation Health Inspector V.V. Suresh confirmed, “We sealed the unit after discovering stale, unfit food meant for public consumption. The canteen was not complying with food safety norms despite repeated warnings.” The Corporation is also reviewing whether its licensing protocols were properly followed when the facility was granted permission to operate.

Next Steps

• A joint inspection team from the Railways and local health authorities will conduct a follow-up audit at the site.

• Legal action may be initiated based on the lab test results and contractual obligations.

• Revised guidelines for train catering vendors are expected to be issued, with a focus on hygiene monitoring and penalty enforcement.

The Kochi Corporation has stated that it will intensify inspections at other food preparation units operating within its jurisdiction, especially those supplying to public transport networks.

Source: The New Indian Express