A viral video allegedly showing railway catering staff washing utensils inside a train toilet has sparked a fresh controversy over food hygiene standards on Indian Railways. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken cognisance of the incident and issued a notice seeking clarification.Why Has FSSAI Issued a Notice?The matter came to light after a video circulated widely on social media. According to reports, the footage allegedly showed utensils used for onboard catering services being washed inside a toilet on Train No. 12223, the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Ernakulam Duronto Express.— fssaiindia (@fssaiindia) Following the video's circulation, FSSAI sought an explanation regarding the incident. The notice was issued under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, which lays down hygiene and sanitation requirements for food business operators.— fssaiindia (@fssaiindia) What Do the FSSAI Regulations Say?Under the regulations, food business operators are required to maintain strict hygiene standards during food preparation, handling, cleaning and storage.The rules are designed to ensure that food and food-contact surfaces remain free from contamination. Proper sanitation practices are considered essential to protect public health and maintain food safety standards.The alleged actions shown in the viral video have therefore raised concerns about whether the required hygiene protocols were being followed.IRCTC Says Immediate Action Was TakenResponding to the controversy, IRCTC stated that the incident took place on May 24, 2026, and that swift action was taken once it came to the corporation's notice.— IRCTCofficial (@IRCTCofficial) According to IRCTC, a penalty was imposed on the service provider responsible for the catering operations. The employees involved in the incident were also removed from duty.The corporation stressed that passenger safety remains its highest priority and said it follows strict hygiene and cleanliness guidelines across its catering services.Viral Video Sparks Debate on Railway Food SafetyThe incident has once again drawn attention to food safety standards on trains and the challenges involved in maintaining hygiene across large-scale railway catering operations.— gharkekalesh (@gharkekalesh) Social media users have expressed concern over the alleged handling of utensils, with many calling for stricter monitoring and stronger enforcement of food safety practices.The controversy has also highlighted the growing role of social media in bringing such incidents to the attention of regulators and authorities.What Are IRCTC and FSSAI Responsible For?IRCTC operates under the Ministry of Railways and is responsible for managing catering services on trains and at railway stations across the country.FSSAI, which functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is India's apex food regulator. Its role includes setting food safety standards, regulating food businesses and ensuring that food products sold in the country meet prescribed quality and safety requirements.As the matter continues to attract attention, further clarification from the authorities may shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the viral video and the action taken in response.