Mysuru-based Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) will be providing technological assistance to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a subsidiary of the Railways .
Due to this people could soon see food in retort pouch packaging in trains. This packaging is in special flexible polymeric film, which has better consumer appeal, hygiene and acceptability compared to traditional industrial canning methods. Preliminary discussions have been held on introducing retort pouch processed food by the IRCTC.
“Food products in retort pouches are in a ready-to-eat form and can be eaten straight out of the pack or it can be warmed up by dipping the pack in hot water,” said a DFRL scientist.
Already, several leading private food processing industries have adopted the technology for their food products. However, IRCTC has to consider setting up infrastructure for warming the food.
DFRL’s technology can also help IRCTC check wastage in its kitchens and save input expenditure.
