A passenger travelling on the Ahmedabad–Mumbai Vande Bharat Express on April 6, 2026, reported finding an insect in a meal served onboard, with at least two similar instances allegedly observed in the same coach. The complaint, shared on social media by Mumbai-based entrepreneur Aditya Didwania, quickly went viral, sparking widespread concern over food hygiene on premium trains.
Responding to the backlash, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) imposed a ₹10 lakh fine on the catering contractor, issued a termination notice and sealed the kitchen for deep cleaning and pest control. Officials expressed regret and reiterated that “hygiene and passenger safety remain our top-most priority,” while the incident has reignited debate over quality control in railway catering.
Viral Complaint Triggers Swift Action
The controversy began when the passenger posted images and videos of a dal-chawal meal allegedly containing a “cockroach-like” insect, tagging authorities including the Railway Ministry and food safety regulators. He claimed that “at least two such cases” were noticed in his coach, leading several passengers to stop eating altogether.
The post rapidly gained traction online, with many users questioning how such lapses could occur on a flagship service like Vande Bharat. In response, IRCTC acknowledged the complaint publicly, stating that the matter was taken with “utmost seriousness,” and confirmed the imposition of a financial penalty, termination proceedings against the vendor, and immediate closure of the kitchen for sanitisation.
Recurring Food Safety Concerns on Premium Trains
The latest episode is not an isolated case. In recent weeks, multiple incidents have raised alarms over food quality on Vande Bharat trains, including reports of worms found in curd and a passenger falling ill after consuming onboard meals. In some cases, authorities have imposed heavy penalties and terminated vendor contracts, signalling a stricter enforcement approach.
Despite measures such as centralised kitchens, vendor audits, and quality checks, recurring complaints suggest gaps in monitoring and implementation. Public reactions online have further highlighted a trust deficit, with some passengers saying they prefer carrying their own food or relying on external delivery options during travel.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Food served on public transport especially premium services must meet the highest standards of hygiene and accountability. While IRCTC’s swift action reflects responsiveness, repeated incidents point to a deeper systemic issue that requires preventive, not just reactive, solutions.
Strengthening inspection mechanisms, ensuring transparency in vendor selection and empowering passengers to report grievances effectively are crucial steps forward. As India continues to modernise its rail network, maintaining trust in essential services like food safety becomes equally important. Can authorities move beyond penalties to build a culture of consistent quality and accountability across all railway catering services?
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Found an insect in Vande Bharat train food (Ahmedabad → Mumbai). Atleast 2 such cases in my coach, everyone stopped eating after that.
— Aditya Didwania (@adityadidwania) April 6, 2026
Vendor: M/S Brandavan Food Products (part of RK Group).@fssaiindia @AshwiniVaishnaw @RailMinIndia @IRCTCofficial
Just one request to the… pic.twitter.com/rNrfVaNN5b
