IRCTC intensifies food safety checks and inspections across Indian rail network

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has intensified inspections across the rail network to enforce food safety and catering standards. Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been deployed to inspect trains and stations, resulting in the seizure of over 8,000 bottles of unapproved packaged drinking water and various other unauthorized food and beverage products during recent drives in the North and Chandigarh regions.

In a separate incident involving the Vande Bharat Express traveling from Banaras to New Delhi, the railway authorities imposed a 2 lakh rupee fine on a catering licensee after a passenger reported receiving undercooked and poor-quality food. An additional 20,000 rupee fine was levied against the agency responsible for food safety at the base kitchen. Following the complaint, which was highlighted on social media, officials ordered increased monitoring of food preparation and packaging processes at base kitchens to ensure compliance.