Over 1,300 expired food packets seized from Rajdhani Express catering kitchen

A surprise inspection at a commissary kitchen servicing the Swarn Jayanti Rajdhani Express has exposed significant lapses in food storage and quality control, with authorities seizing over 1,300 packets of expired snack items including poha and upma mixes from the Haldiram brand.

The discovery during the unannounced check has prompted the regulatory authorities to issue a fine against the facility and intensify oversight of catering operations supplying India's premium long-distance train services. The base kitchen, which plays a critical role in provisioning passenger meals aboard the train, was found to be storing food products well beyond their expiration dates.

The incident highlights recurring challenges in maintaining food safety standards across railway catering operations, despite established protocols for regular inspections and inventory management. Officials have indicated that the violation represents a serious breach of food handling regulations that govern railway kitchens across the country.

Railway authorities have indicated they are reviewing procurement and storage procedures at the affected facility to prevent similar incidents. The discovery comes amid broader consumer concerns about food quality and safety standards in Indian Railways' catering services, which serve millions of passengers annually across the network.