Railways mandates display of food menus and prices to enhance passenger transparency

In a move to enhance transparency and improve passenger experience, Indian Railways has made it mandatory for all trains to display food menus along with their respective prices.

This initiative ensures that travelers have clear information about available food options and their costs, reducing ambiguity and enhancing overall satisfaction during their journey.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently announced that all trains must now provide printed menu cards listing food items and their prices. These menus will be available with onboard wait staff and presented to passengers upon request.

Additionally, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has made these menus accessible online, allowing travelers to review food options before or during their journey.

To further strengthen transparency, Indian Railways has introduced SMS alerts containing links to the menu and tariff details. This digital approach empowers passengers with real-time information about onboard dining choices, reducing the risk of overpricing or miscommunication regarding meal costs.

Enhanced measures for food quality and hygiene

Beyond ensuring price transparency, Indian Railways is implementing comprehensive measures to improve food quality and hygiene standards. Key initiatives include:

Modern base kitchens: Meals are now prepared in designated base kitchens equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. These kitchens have been set up at strategic locations to ensure standardized food preparation processes.

CCTV monitoring: Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed in base kitchens, enabling real-time monitoring of food preparation. This step ensures strict adherence to hygiene and safety protocols.

Use of branded ingredients: To maintain food quality consistency, Indian Railways mandates the use of reputable and branded raw materials, including cooking oil, flour, rice, pulses, spices, paneer, and dairy products.

Deployment of food safety supervisors: Qualified food safety supervisors have been assigned to base kitchens to oversee hygiene and food preparation standards, ensuring strict compliance with food safety regulations.

Onboard supervision and quality assurance : To maintain high food quality standards during transit, Indian Railways has introduced additional monitoring mechanisms:

IRCTC Supervisors: Dedicated onboard IRCTC supervisors will oversee catering services, ensuring that food quality and service levels meet prescribed standards.

QR Codes on Food Packets: Food packets will now feature QR codes, enabling passengers to access details such as the name of the kitchen where the meal was prepared and the date of packaging. This initiative helps verify the authenticity and freshness of onboard meals.

Regular inspections and certifications

To ensure ongoing compliance with food safety regulations, Indian Railways has introduced rigorous inspection and certification processes:

Deep Cleaning and Pest Control: Base kitchens and pantry cars undergo regular deep cleaning and scheduled pest control measures to maintain a hygienic environment.

FSSAI Certification

All catering units are required to obtain certification from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), ensuring adherence to national food safety standards.

Food Sampling and Audits: Routine food sampling is conducted as part of ongoing inspection mechanisms. Additionally, third-party audits are performed to assess hygiene and food quality in both pantry cars and base kitchens.

With these extensive measures, Indian Railways aims to provide passengers with a safer, more transparent, and superior dining experience while traveling. By mandating menu price displays, reinforcing hygiene standards, and leveraging technology for real-time monitoring, the national transporter is taking significant strides toward elevating onboard catering services.