Date:28/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/02/28/stories/2006022803070100.htm

Back Chicken, eggs back on Railway menu

Our Bureau

BACK ON TRACK

New Delhi , Feb. 27

Indian Railways today said it has allowed serving of eggs and chicken provided they have been handled as per the guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO). However, it has prohibited serving of half-boiled egg, fried eggs, omelette and roasted chickens.

Withdrawing its earlier order prohibiting serving of chicken and eggs in any form from all its catering units, it has instructed the departmental staff and licensees of all static and mobile catering units to strictly follow the WHO guidelines regarding handling of chicken and egg.

Besides, the Railways has advised the Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to instruct its field units to follow the guidelines, said an official release.

It is safe to consume poultry meat conventionally cooked at a temperature of seventy degrees. At this temperature H5N1 virus in the meat gets inactivated, a Railways release said. To avert any further problem, the Railways has also advised consumers to follow the guidelines issued by the WHO while handling food items.

The precautionary guidelines include basic hygienic activities such as washing hands before handling food and often during food preparation, using separate equipment and utensils such as knives and cutting boards for handling raw food, separating raw meat, poultry and sea food from other foods, and cooking food thoroughly, especially meat, poultry, eggs and seafood among others.