Patna: Indian Railways has launched a new digital initiative aimed at improving food safety and passenger confidence on trains. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has begun affixing QR codes to meal packets, allowing passengers to access detailed information about their food with a simple scan.
The move addresses long-standing complaints about stale or poor-quality meals on trains, as well as the risks posed by unlicensed vendors selling food at stations or on board. Passengers can now see the time of preparation, packing date, expiry date, and the name of the kitchen that prepared the meal, ensuring transparency and trust.
The QR code system also helps curb unauthorised vending. Meals without QR codes can be easily identified, while CCTV monitoring—and in some locations, live-streaming of kitchen operations—ensures accountability and adherence to hygiene standards.
The initiative aligns with India’s broader ‘Digital India’ mission. Passengers can lodge complaints via the railway’s mobile app or the ‘Rail Madad’ portal, with digital evidence supporting swift resolution if food quality issues arise.
Officials say the service is particularly beneficial for long-distance travellers, offering reassurance about meal freshness and hygiene. Key advantages include verification of food freshness, identification of unauthorised vendors, live kitchen access in select locations, and expedited complaint handling.
With the QR code system in place, passengers can now travel with greater confidence in the safety and quality of their meals.
