Indian Railways introduces QR code on digitally traceable food packets and ID cards of catering staff to eliminate unauthorised vending and ensure verified onboard catering services
To thwart unauthorised food sellers and ensure verified onboard catering services for passengers on trains, Indian Railways has introduced QR codes on digitally traceable food packets and identity cards of catering staff.
Modern base kitchens, mandatory FSSAI certification, CCTV monitoring, surprise inspections, and third-party audits are some of the measures taken by Indian Railways with an aim to deliver hygienic and high-quality meals to passengers.
While unauthorised hawking and vending in the passenger area on Indian Railways is prohibited and it's an offence punishable under Section - 144 of Railways Act, 1989, you'd still have come across such food sellers in the trains.
As per the information by Ministry of Railways (MoR), Govt. of India, today on 19 March 2026, to establish identity of the authorised vendors in trains, issuance of QR code enabled Identity Cards in the name of individual vendors or helpers or staff, who are deployed for managing onboard catering services, has been made mandatory by Indian Railways.
This QR code will be linked to establish authenticity of the staff by displaying the Vendor’s name, Aadhaar No., Medical Fitness, Police verification details, etc.
To curb unauthorised vending, Indian Railways has taken the measure of including QR code on food packets, which display the name of kitchen, date of manufacturing, etc. on them.
Also, it was informed that Indian Railways has taken the following measures to improve quality, hygiene, and food safety, such as:
- Supply of meals from designated Base Kitchens.
- Commissioning of modern Base Kitchens at identified locations.
- Installation of CCTV Cameras in Base Kitchens for better monitoring of food preparation.
- Shortlisting and use of popular and branded raw materials, like cooking oil, atta, rice, pulses, masala items, paneer, dairy products etc. for food production.
- Deployment of Food Safety Supervisors at Base Kitchens to monitor food safety and hygienic practices.
- Deployment of on-board IRCTC supervisors on trains.
- Regular deep cleaning and periodical pest control in Base Kitchens and Pantry Cars.
- In order to ensure compliance with Food Safety Norms, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) certification from designated Food Safety Officers of each catering unit has been made mandatory.
- Regular food sampling as a part of the inspection and monitoring mechanism to ensure quality of food on trains.
- Third Party Audit is done to examine hygiene and quality of food in Pantry Cars and Base Kitchens. Customer satisfaction survey is also conducted.
- Surprise inspections by Food Safety Officers.
- Regular training is conducted by IRCTC to enhance the skills of catering staff, focusing on customer service areas i.e., communication, courteous behaviour, service standards, personal grooming, and hygiene.
This information was provided by the Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a reply to a question in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
- QR Code-Enabled Identity Cards and Digitally Traceable Food Packets in Indian Railways to Eliminate Unauthorised Vending and Ensure Verified Onboard Catering Services for Rail Passengers - Ministry of Railways, Govt. of India, on PIB. Posted On: 19 MAR 2026 1:37PM by PIB Delhi.