Passengers on particular trains will get ready-to-eat delicacies from the first week of July. The Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has joined hands with government-owned Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) for implementing new technologies in food processing and packaging.
A spokesperson of IRCTC said that trial for preparation of food with the technology has begun. The introduction of 36,000 ready-to-eat packs of vegetable biryani, rajma rice, tamarind rice, lemon rice, wheat upma, dal & rice and chicken biryani is scheduled for the first week of July, said the spokesperson.
Convenience with ease of carrying the food and easy disposal of packets after use are special features that attracts consumers which make them buy these products. The products can be eaten straight out of the packets or heated up by dipping the food pack in hot water bath or keeping it in a hot-air oven before consuming.
Another IRCTC official said such foods have a better acceptability compared to their canned alternates. “Human interface and possible contamination is minimized by using such technology,” said an official.
Chairman and managing director of IRCTC AK Manocha said: “The launch of ready-to-eat items will offer a wide range of dishes and hygienic food which will eventually reduce complaints from passengers.”