IRCTC signs MoU to provide hygienic food to rail passengers

New Delhi, July 4: Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mysuru-based Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI) for transfer of technology to provide hygienic food products and services to train passengers.

Under the MoU, both the organisations would work together "to meet the broad objectives under the framework of providing enhanced health, safety, diverse region-specific food products and extended shelf-life of identified food products" for the passengers.

The organisation would also finalise the list of products and services for which CSIR-CFTRI would provide its technology to IRCTC, a 'mini Ratna' PSU of Indian Railways.

On June 27, IRCTC had also signed an agreement with Mysuru-based Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) on transfer of technical knowhow and quality testing for IRCTC's ready-to-eat packaged food for those travelling in trains.

"The MoU with CSIR-CFTRI reinforces our commitment to upgrade and standardise our catering services. It will further help IRCTC to provide safe, nutritious and hygienic food to the railway passengers," IRCTC Chairman and Managing Director A.K. Manocha said.

CFTRI is one of the 40 national research laboratories in India, set up under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

It has a proven track record in food safety and designing and developing over 300 products and processes in the production and handling of grains, pulses, spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and poultry.

IANS