Steps on to ensure hygienic food in trains

The Southern Railways has submitted before the Permanent Lok Adalat Bench in Ernakulam that it is taking all possible efforts to ensure supply of hygienic food to its passengers.

P Santhosh Kumar, Food Safety Officer of Southern Railways, made the submission in response to a petition seeking a directive to the Railways to take steps to prevent unhygienic preparation, handling and supply of food at railway stations and on board trains. According to the railways, general toilets are provided at both ends of the coaches of the train, but in Jan Shatabdi trains, toilets are provided only at one end. At the other end, a mini pantry with sink, water tap, bottle cooler and hot case, is provided. This portion is earmarked for the preparation of coffee, tea etc.

In the coaches of other trains, toilets are provided in this earmarked space. This might have made the media think that tea is being prepared in toilets in Jan Shatabdi trains, the affidavit stated. It also pointed out that three officials are nominated to ensure the quality and standard of foods supplied in trains.

The Food Safety Officer, medical officers and health inspectors of the medical department and other departmental officials conduct regular and flash inspections at all static and mobile catering units of the Railways to ensure hygienic food preparation, the Railways said.

The petitioner contended that the personnel who were engaged in preparation, handling and supply of food for Railways did not have health cards and even proper uniforms, gloves, chef hats and nameplates. The Railways stated that the staff engaged in both static and mobile-catering establishments are engaged only after medical examination done by the Railway medical officers. After thorough examination, medically-fit staff are engaged in the catering units.

Moreover, the catering staffs are subjected to medical examination every year. If they are found medically unfit, their cards are not renewed. It  submitted that the water filled in overhead tanks of all trains is supplied by the Kerala Water Authority and water samples are regularly collected by health inspectors and analysed.

The Railways said the Lok Adalats are authorised to deal with and decide only disputes relating to services rendered by notified public utility services, provided the value does not exceed `10 lakh and the dispute does not relate to a non-compoundable offence.

It also said ticket checking was intensified to identify unauthorised vendors and cases were registered against the offenders.