FSSAI issues notice to IRCTC over toilet utensil-washing on Duronto Express
Synopsis
A viral video allegedly showing railway catering staff washing utensils inside train toilets has prompted India's food regulator to issue a statutory notice to IRCTC. The incident targets the LTT–Ernakulam Duronto Express and could constitute a Schedule 4 violation under food safety law — putting contractor accountability and IRCTC's oversight record squarely in the dock.
Key Takeaways
FSSAI issued a statutory notice to IRCTC on 30 May over alleged utensil-washing inside toilet premises on the LTT–Ernakulam Duronto Express (Train No.
The alleged practice, if confirmed, violates Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 .
IRCTC has been asked to submit a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) and clarify whether a contractor or licensee was operating catering services.
The regulator has sought the contractor's valid FSSAI licence number and details of FoSTaC training undertaken by catering personnel.
FSSAI described the matter as urgent and warned the incident 'adversely affects public health and consumer confidence in railway catering services.'
India's food safety regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has issued a statutory notice to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) over alleged unhygienic handling of utensils aboard Train No. 12223, the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT)–Ernakulam (ERS) Duronto Express. The notice, issued on Saturday, 30 May, follows a video circulating on social media that allegedly shows catering or contractual staff washing utensils inside train toilet premises during onboard service.
What the Video Allegedly Shows
The footage, which drew widespread attention online, purportedly captures personnel involved in railway catering operations cleaning utensils within toilet areas of the moving train. FSSAI stated it took serious note of the video and described the practice as 'highly objectionable from the food safety perspective.' The regulator shared the statutory notice on its official account on X (formerly Twitter), signalling the urgency it attaches to the matter.
The Regulatory Violation at Stake
According to FSSAI, if the allegations are confirmed, the practice would constitute a direct violation of hygiene and sanitary standards prescribed under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011. 'The practice of washing utensils in toilet areas poses serious risks of contamination and is highly objectionable from the food safety perspective,' the notice stated. The regulator further warned that such incidents 'adversely affect public health and consumer confidence in railway catering services.'
What FSSAI Has Demanded from IRCTC
FSSAI has directed IRCTC to submit a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) along with factual comments and an explanation regarding the incident. The notice specifically asks IRCTC to clarify whether catering services on the train were being operated through a contractor or licensee, and to furnish the contractor's valid FSSAI licence number where applicable.
Beyond accountability, the regulator has also sought details of corrective measures taken, action initiated against the contractor or staff responsible, and information regarding Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) completed by catering personnel involved. IRCTC has additionally been directed to ensure strict compliance with Schedule 4 requirements going forward to prevent any recurrence.
Broader Concerns for Railway Catering
This incident is not the first time railway catering standards have come under scrutiny. Complaints about food quality and hygiene on long-distance trains have periodically surfaced over the years, prompting parliamentary questions and earlier advisories to IRCTC. The latest episode, amplified by social media, adds fresh pressure on the corporation to demonstrate accountability in its contractor oversight mechanisms. FSSAI has directed that the matter be treated as urgent, with IRCTC's response expected at the earliest.
Point of View
Public regulatory response. But a statutory notice is only as effective as the follow-through: FSSAI must ensure the ATR it receives is not a boilerplate assurance but a verifiable account of contractor action. The deeper issue is structural — IRCTC's outsourcing model diffuses accountability, making it easy for violations to occur and difficult to pin responsibility. Until FSSAI mandates real-time third-party audits of contracted catering operations, social media videos will continue to serve as the primary inspection mechanism on Indian railways.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did FSSAI issue a notice to IRCTC over the Duronto Express?
FSSAI issued a statutory notice to IRCTC after a video circulated on social media allegedly showing catering or contractual staff washing utensils inside toilet premises aboard Train No. 12223, the LTT–Ernakulam Duronto Express. The regulator stated that if confirmed, the practice would violate Schedule 4 hygiene standards under food safety regulations.
Which train is involved in the FSSAI-IRCTC hygiene controversy?
The train in question is Train No. 12223, the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT)–Ernakulam (ERS) Duronto Express. The incident came to light after a video allegedly filmed onboard the train spread widely on social media.
What has FSSAI asked IRCTC to submit?
FSSAI has directed IRCTC to furnish a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR), factual comments on the incident, clarification on whether catering was handled by a contractor or licensee, the contractor's valid FSSAI licence number, details of corrective steps taken, and FoSTaC training records of catering personnel involved.
What regulation would be violated if the allegations are true?
The alleged practice would constitute a violation of Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, which prescribes hygiene and sanitary requirements for food businesses, including those operating onboard trains.
Is this the first time IRCTC has faced food safety scrutiny?
No. Railway catering hygiene has been a recurring concern, with complaints about food quality and sanitation on long-distance trains surfacing periodically over the years. The latest incident, however, is notable for triggering a formal public statutory notice from FSSAI, amplified by social media attention.
