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FSSAI Sends Notice To IRCTC Over Viral Video Of Utensils Allegedly Washed Near Train Toilet

FSSAI served a notice to IRCTC demanding a factual explanation over the viral video of utensils being washed in the train toilet.

by Tanvi Shrivastava
FSSAI Sends Notice To IRCTC Over Viral Video Of Utensils Allegedly Washed Near Train Toilet

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has sent a notice to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) after a viral video reportedly showed catering staff washing utensils inside a train toilet. Sounds gross, right? Scroll down to know what exactly happened.

Viral Video Shows Staff Washing Utensils In A Train Toilet

According to a report by India Today, the incident occurred on board the Mumbai–Ernakulam Duronto Express. The video, shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Truth On Track, showed an IRCTC staff employee placing the utensil basket on top of a closed seat inside the train toilet. The post claimed that food plates and cutlery used for onboard catering services were being handled in unacceptable and unhygenic conditions.

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The account also stated that the incident occurred in the train’s First AC coach, where travellers expect higher standards of service and cleanliness. The video also raised questions about how such hygiene issues could occur in a premium class and requested an update from the railway authorities and IRCTC.

FSSAI Serves Notice To IRCTC

As soon as the video went viral, FSSAI served a notice to IRCTC demanding a factual explanation regarding the alleged incident. In the notice, the food safety regulator stated that the alleged practice was in breach of the hygiene and sanitary requirements set down under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011. As per the FSSAI, the regulations require food business operators to adhere to hygienic processing, handling, washing and cleaning practices to prevent the contamination of food and food-contact surfaces.

The regulator said that through a viral video, it has come to FSSAI’s notice that utensils used for catering services in Train No. 12223 – LTT-ERS Duronto are allegedly being washed inside the toilet of the train by catering staff or contractual personnel engaged for onboard catering services, which violates the standard regulations. FSSAI has further asked IRCTC to provide a factual explanation regarding the incident shown in the video. However, the railway catering agency is yet to publicly respond to the notice.

Also Read: Delhi-Varanasi Bullet Train Coming Soon? Travel Time May Drop Under 4 Hours, Check All Details

Well, this is absolutely gross and unacceptable.

Cover Image Courtesy: X/Truth On Track, Wikimedia Commons

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First Published: May 29, 2026 10:57 AM

FAQs

How to get an IRCTC food license?

To become an IRCTC food vendor, you can either set up a physical stall at a railway station via the Indian Railways E-Tendering Portal or partner with the IRCTC eCatering service to deliver food to train seats.

Who is the owner of IRCTC catering company?

It is a publicly traded, central public sector enterprise that is majority-owned by the Government of India.

Is IRCTC food good?

IRCTC food reviews are highly mixed, with pantry car and standard base-kitchen meals often criticized for being overpriced and average in taste.