The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has instructed all airlines and flight caterers to strictly adhere to food safety norms on Tuesday, 16 January.
Taking cognizance of the widespread concern over the limited information passengers have about inflight meals, FSSAI CEO Ganji Kamala V Rao instructed all airlines and caterers.
This means that the passengers should be aware of the “date and time of manufacture” of the packed meals served onboard airlines, railways, and mobile catering units.
“This directive aims to improve transparency by providing detailed information about the nature, origin, and manufacturing details of the food served during flights,” FSSAI said.
Further, the CEO highlighted the importance of menu labelling as a powerful tool to inform passengers about the contents of the food served, enabling them to make informed choices.
Airline caterers were encouraged to implement robust mechanisms for swift resolution, incorporating both corrective and preventive actions to minimise food safety incidents.
In response to a recent complaint from a passenger who found worms in her sandwich during a flight, the FSSAI took action by issuing a show-cause notice to the airline.
There was a specific emphasis on the necessity for specialised training programmes for catering staff to ensure a thorough comprehension of food safety and hygiene practices.