Sat May 17 08:55:33 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten version as a news article:
**Summary:**
A catering firm, Brandavan Food Products, in Kochi, Kerala, that supplies food to Southern Railway trains (both directly and through IRCTC) has been sealed by the Kochi Corporation’s health wing after a large quantity of stale food was seized and the kitchen was found to be unhygienic. A three-member Southern Railway inquiry committee inspected the firm and will investigate wider issues of food quality on trains. The firm faces a potential fine, must obtain necessary certifications and licenses (including a no-objection certificate from the Pollution Control Board, licenses from the Corporation and FSSAI), and implement better waste management practices before resuming operations. The firm had been under scrutiny for months and lacked the proper licensing.
**News Article:**
**Stale Food Scandal Rocks Southern Railway Catering: Firm Sealed, Investigation Launched**
**KOCHI, May 17, 2025** – A major food safety concern has emerged within the Southern Railway network after a catering firm supplying meals to trains was shut down by the Kochi Corporation’s health wing. Brandavan Food Products, located in Elamkulam, Kochi, was sealed following the discovery of a large quantity of stale food and unsanitary conditions within its kitchen.
The health wing’s action follows months of scrutiny and multiple notices served to the firm based on public complaints. The raid and closure occurred after authorities determined the firm was operating without the proper municipal licenses and was in violation of waste disposal regulations.
Southern Railway has launched a high-level inquiry into the incident. A three-member committee, comprising the Divisional Commercial Manager of Thiruvananthapuram, the Health Officer of Thiruvananthapuram, and the Area Manager of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), inspected the facility on Saturday.
“The committee will not only address the immediate issues at this Kochi unit but will also examine broader concerns related to food quality across the Southern Railway network,” a source familiar with the investigation stated.
Preliminary actions include a proposed fine of ₹1 lakh and a directive for IRCTC to take immediate corrective measures. The investigation will specifically focus on the quality of food being served on trains and will recommend changes as needed.
Brandavan Food Products supplies food directly to five Southern Railway train sets and an additional three sets through IRCTC. The firm will be required to secure a no-objection certificate from the Pollution Control Board, obtain licenses from the Kochi Corporation and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and implement improved waste disposal and management practices before being allowed to resume operations.
First Piper 