IRCTC Partners with QCI to Strengthen Food Safety and Hygiene on Trains

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Quality Council of India (QCI) to improve food quality, hygiene and safety standards across railway catering services.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the two organisations will introduce an independent, technology-enabled inspection system to monitor food safety practices at IRCTC-operated mobile and static catering units. The initiative aims to make meals served to railway passengers safer and ensure better compliance with established quality standards.

As part of the agreement, QCI will deploy certified auditors to carry out surprise inspections on a quarterly and half-yearly basis. The assessments will focus on compliance with regulations prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), along with recognised international food safety and hygiene benchmarks.

The collaboration is expected to strengthen monitoring, improve accountability and promote greater transparency in railway catering operations. Through this initiative, IRCTC aims to enhance passenger confidence and ensure that food served during train journeys meets stringent safety and hygiene requirements.