Is Your Train Meal Safe? Insect Found In Vande Bharat Express Food Raises Alarm | Photos

A viral image of an insect in a Vande Bharat meal has sparked fresh concerns over onboard hygiene, with authorities imposing penalties as questions grow over food safety standards

Taken together, these incidents have intensified public scrutiny of catering services on Vande Bharat trains.

A viral post circulating on social media has raised serious concerns about food safety after an insect was allegedly discovered in a meal served aboard the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express. The incident has once again drawn attention to hygiene standards on premium trains, where passengers expect a higher level of service and quality.

In response to the incident, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) stated that action has been taken against the service provider. The agency confirmed that a penalty of Rs 10 lakh has been imposed and the vendor’s contract has been terminated.

Additionally, according to a report in Free Press Journal, authorities said the kitchen facility linked to the vendor has been sealed for deep cleaning and pest control measures. The IRCTC also expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to passengers.

Viral Post Highlights Contaminated Train Meal

The controversy emerged after a user identified as ‘Manu’ shared photographs and a video online showing a meal tray served during the journey. The tray included standard items such as sabji, curd, gravy, rice, and dal, typical of onboard catering on the route.

However, the image appeared to show an insect in the dal and rice, which were served together in a single container. In the accompanying caption, the user claimed that two additional instances of similar contamination were reported within the same coach.

Following the discovery, several passengers reportedly refused to consume the food, raising immediate concerns about quality control.

The post also named the catering provider as Brandavan Food Products, part of the RK Group. The incident has prompted scrutiny of vendors responsible for supplying food on high-speed trains like the Vande Bharat Express.

Questions are now being raised about whether adequate checks and monitoring mechanisms are in place before meals are served to passengers.

Renewed Questions Over Food Safety Protocols

The episode has reignited debate over food handling practices, including preparation, storage, and transportation. Observers have pointed out that such lapses undermine passenger trust, particularly on premium services where cleanliness and reliability are considered essential.

There is growing concern about how such incidents slip through inspection systems and whether stricter enforcement of hygiene protocols is needed.

Separate Incident Raises Health Concerns

In a separate development that has further intensified scrutiny, a passenger reported a serious health issue allegedly linked to food served on another Vande Bharat Express.

The passenger, identified through her X handle @AyushiS54377868, said she was travelling on train number 22500 from Varanasi to Deoghar on March 27 in coach E1. According to her account, she experienced a severe allergic reaction shortly after consuming the onboard lunch.

She reported that her lips became visibly swollen and suggested that the condition could have turned life-threatening had medical care not been sought in time.

Child Falls Ill During Train Journey

The passenger also claimed that her two-year-old son fell unwell during the trip and developed diarrhoea. Images shared online showed her condition along with a doctor’s prescription, adding weight to her claims.

She stated that she sought hospital treatment within 24 hours of the incident and subsequently recovered. However, the episode has added to concerns regarding the quality and safety of food served on board.

In addition to the food-related issue, the passenger raised doubts about the drinking water provided during the journey, describing its taste as unusual. This has further widened the scope of concern, bringing attention to overall onboard catering standards.

Mounting Pressure On Rail Authorities

Taken together, these incidents have intensified public scrutiny of catering services on Vande Bharat trains.

Passengers and observers alike are calling for stricter monitoring, improved hygiene checks, and greater accountability to ensure that safety standards are consistently maintained across all services.

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