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Railways Rolls Out QR Codes to Ensure Safe, Verified Onboard Catering

Indian Railways has implemented mandatory QR code-enabled identity cards for all onboard catering staff to verify their authenticity and details. Food packets now also carry QR codes displaying manufacturing dates and kitchen origins for full traceability. The measures include sourcing branded ingredients, installing CCTV in base kitchens, and mandating FSSAI certification to enforce hygiene standards. Regular third-party audits, food sampling, and customer surveys further ensure compliance and quality for passengers.

Key Points: QR Codes Ensure Verified Catering on Indian Railways

  • QR code ID cards for all catering staff
  • QR codes on food packets for traceability
  • Mandatory FSSAI certification for kitchens
  • Use of branded raw materials & CCTV monitoring
  • Regular third-party audits & customer surveys
2 min read

QR code-enabled measures ensure verified catering services for rail passengers: Minister

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw details QR code-enabled measures for vendor IDs and food packets to eliminate unauthorised vending and ensure food safety.

"This QR code is linked to establish authenticity of the staff by displaying the Vendor's name, Aadhaar No., Medical Fitness, Police verification details, etc. - Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw"

New Delhi, March 19

QR code-enabled identity cards and digitally traceable food packets in Indian Railways have helped eliminate unauthorised vending and ensure verified onboard catering services for rail passengers, the Parliament was informed on Thursday.

To establish identity of the authorised vendors in trains, issuance of QR code enabled Identity Cards in the name of individual vendors/helpers/staff deployed for managing onboard catering services has been made mandatory, said Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in a reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

"This QR code is linked to establish authenticity of the staff by displaying the Vendor's name, Aadhaar No., Medical Fitness, Police verification details, etc. Other measures taken to curb unauthorised vending include QR code on food packets which displays name of kitchen and date of manufacturing, etc," the minister informed.

Among the measures taken to improve quality, hygiene, and food safety are the supply of meals from designated base kitchens; commissioning of modern base kitchens at identified locations; installation of CCTV cameras in base kitchens for better monitoring of food preparation; shortlisting and use of popular and branded raw materials, like cooking oil, atta, rice, pulses, masala items, paneer, dairy products etc. for food production; and deployment of Food Safety Supervisors at base kitchens to monitor food safety and hygienic practices, among others.

In order to ensure compliance with Food Safety Norms, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) certification from designated Food Safety Officers of each catering unit has been made mandatory.

Moreover, regular food sampling as part of the inspection and monitoring mechanism ensures quality of food on trains. Third party audit is done to examine hygiene and quality of food in pantry cars and base kitchens and customer satisfaction survey is also conducted, said the minister.

Regular training is also being conducted by IRCTC to enhance the skills of catering staff, focusing on customer service areas.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good initiative on paper. But the real test is execution. Will the QR codes be checked regularly by TTE? Or will it be another system that exists only for show? The focus on branded raw materials and CCTV is promising though.
A
Arjun K
Linking to Aadhaar and police verification is crucial for passenger safety. Also, mandatory FSSAI certification is a big win. My main concern is price - will this tech upgrade lead to a hike in food prices? Hope IRCTC keeps it reasonable for the common passenger.
S
Sarah B
As a frequent traveler, I appreciate the transparency. Scanning a QR code to see the kitchen and manufacturing date is a modern solution India needed. The third-party audit part sounds good if it's truly independent.
V
Vikram M
All these measures are fine, but what about the taste and variety? Hygiene is baseline, not the end goal. The food still needs to be edible and enjoyable. Hope the skill training for staff includes cooking lessons too, not just customer service.
M
Meera T
This is a welcome change. For years, we've complained about railway food. Now with digital tracking, there's a chain of responsibility. No more anonymous packets. The customer satisfaction survey is key - they must actually act on the feedback!

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