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FSSAI notice to IRCTC over alleged utensil washing in train toilet area
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a notice to Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) after a social media video alleged utensils were washed in a train toilet area. The regulator said the act, if confirmed, could risk food contamination and breach hygiene requirements, seeking an early response.
India’s food regulator FSSAI issued a notice to state-owned IRCTC on Thursday. Sources said the action followed a social media video showing utensils washed inside a train toilet area. FSSAI said the act, if true, was objectionable. Sources added it could contaminate food and food-contact surfaces during catering service on trains.
Sources said the notice cited the video and asked IRCTC to respond at the earliest. The clip was recorded by a passenger, as per sources. It showed washing activity inside the toilet premises of a train coach. FSSAI took suo motu cognizance after the video appeared online.
FSSAI notice to IRCTC over train toilet utensil washing
As per the passenger video, the train number was 12223 - LTT ERS Duronto. Sources said utensils were washed by catering staff. Sources also said contractual persons engaged by IRCTC were seen in the clip. FSSAI described the practice as a serious hygiene concern for onboard food service.
"Washing utensils in toilet areas poses serious risks of contamination and is highly objectionable from the food safety perspective,\" a source said. Sources said FSSAI flagged the possibility of contaminants spreading to cleaned utensils. The regulator treated the matter as a food safety issue. It linked the concern to risks during handling and serving.
FSSAI rules cited in IRCTC notice
Sources said FSSAI pointed to Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses Regulations, 2011. The rules require hygienic processing and handling practices. They also cover washing and cleaning standards for food businesses. The goal is preventing contamination of food and contact surfaces.
Earlier this month, sources said FSSAI sought an explanation from Blinkit. The query followed consumer complaints about poor-quality eggs sold on the platform. Sources said the regulator again took suo moto cognizance after posts appeared on social media. The IRCTC notice followed a similar approach based on online content.
With inputs from PTI
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