IRCTC points at FSSAI when questioned on serving ‘Halal’ certified tea on Indian Railways

Further claimed that tea served is vegetarian

(IRCTC stands for Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation)

New Delhi – A video has gone viral on social media. In this video, a passenger can be seen objecting to the mention of Halal certification on a tea packet in a train. This video is also said to be old. IRCTC has stated that, “This is a misleading video. Please do not believe it or forward it. IRCTC follows only FSSAI for its food products.”

In the video, the passenger is seen saying, “Offering Halal-certified items during the month of Shravan (currently ongoing in North India) is playing with our (Hindu) religious sentiments.” At the same time, the railway staff try to explain to the passenger that “tea is vegetarian, not non-vegetarian.”

Editorial Perspectives

  • Although the eatables for sale in the railways are already certified by the FSSAI, why do the railways need a ‘Halal certification’ over that ?
  • Recently, the Uttar Pradesh Government took action against self-proclaimed Halal certifying organisations and arrested their heads. The railways should therefore take this objection seriously, and refrain from selling such products. At the same time, FSSAI should also deny approval of such products.
  • If tea is vegetarian, why does it need a Halal certificate ? Railways should answer this.