Railways Clarifies: No Rule for Serving Halal Certified Food on Trains

The Indian Railways has officially stated that it does not have any rule requiring Halal certified meals to be served on trains. This clarification came after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) sent a notice about a complaint alleging unfair practices in how non vegetarian food is processed for passengers.

NHRC Notice Prompted the Clarification

A complaint was filed claiming that only halal processed meat is used in non vegetarian meals on trains. The complainant said this was discriminatory and raised human  rights concerns. Following this, the NHRC sought an explanation from the Railway Board.

A senior Railway Board official explained that the Indian Railways and IRCTC strictly follow the guidelines issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for all food served onboard. The official clearly stated that there is no rule that requires serving Halal-certified food on trains.

Matter Also Raised Before the CIC

The same issue was recently discussed at the Chief Information Commission (CIC) during an RTI hearing. An applicant had asked whether Indian Railways uses halal processed meat. The Railway Board informed the CIC that:

• There is no policy regarding halal-certified meals
• There are no documents or records on halal certification
• IRCTC has no rules or approval procedures related to halal food
• No passenger consent is taken because no such system exists

The CIC noted these points in its official order.

Railways Reaffirms Its Food Safety Commitment

Railway officials stressed that their main priority is to maintain good food quality and hygiene on all trains. They stated that they consistently ensure that food served on trains meets all required standards and guidelines.

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