Question : FOOD TESTING LABORATORY

(a) whether the Railways propose to set up a food laboratory for the testing of food items being served by licensed contractors in trains;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Railways also proposes to introduce stringent standards for preparation of food items under hygienic conditions and to serve quality food items in trains; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and whether recently the Delhi High Court had summoned Railways regarding issue of adulterated food and its quality being served in trains;and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Railways thereto along with the steps taken/being taken by the Railways in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY)

(a) to (e) A Statement is laid down on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2981 BY SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR, SHRI DHRUVA NARYANA AND SHRIMATI JAYSHREEBEN PATEL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 14.3.2013 REGARDING FOOD TESTING LABORATORY.

(a) No, Madam. There is no proposal to set up any in-house Food Laboratory for testing of food items supplied by licensed contractors in passenger trains.

(b) Food Safety and Standard Authority of India has notified NABL accredited food testing Laboratories all over the country, any food sample lifted under the Act are to be sent to these laboratories. Railway Food Safety Officers/Designated Officers also send samples to these laboratories.

(c) & (d) Railways have introduced New Catering Policy, 2010 under which Standard Bid Documents for award of catering contracts have been prepared by engaging professional agencies specifying stringent eligibility criteria with parameters about the quality and quantity of food, maintaining proper hygiene, cleanliness while handling raw material, preparation, packaging, supply and service of food to the passengers. Waste management instructions have been issued in order to maintain hygiene and cleanliness at all catering units.

However a PIL has been filed in Delhi High Court regarding creation of Administrative Machinery in Railway for implementation of Food Safety and Standard Act.

(e) The matter is sub-judice in the Court of Law.