A woman travelling on the Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 22500) from Varanasi to Deoghar on 27 March 2026 has alleged that she suffered a severe allergic reaction after eating food served on board, while her two‑year‑old son developed diarrhoea, reigniting national concerns about food quality and hygiene on India’s premium trains.
The passenger shared medical reports and photos of her swollen lips on social media, tagging rail authorities and urging urgent action. In response, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) said the meal was checked and found satisfactory and that no other complaints were received on that day, even as critics highlight recent food quality controversies, including an incident where worms were found in curd on a different Vande Bharat route, leading to fines and vendor contract termination by the Railways.
Severe Reaction Aboard Premium Train
The passenger, identified online by her handle @The_Mediocre_Fille, said she and her son suffered adverse health effects after consuming the train‑served lunch aboard coach E1 of the Vande Bharat Express on 27 March. She claimed her upper lips became visibly swollen due to a severe allergic reaction and that her child developed diarrhoea shortly after the same meal, prompting medical attention.
The woman posted photographic evidence of the reaction and related hospital/medical documents, emphasising that the reaction “could have been life‑threatening” if treatment had been delayed. She also alleged poor responsiveness from onboard staff when she raised the issue during the journey.
The post went viral, attracting widespread public attention and drawing mixed reactions online. Some commentators raised questions about personal allergies and differing reactions to the same food, while others pointed to overarching food safety concerns on rail services.
Officials’ Response and Broader Food Safety Issues
The IRCTC, which manages onboard catering for most passenger trains including Vande Bharat services, responded publicly to the woman’s post. In an official reply, the corporation said that the lunch served on the BSB‑DGHR Vande Bharat Express on 27 March 2026 had been checked and found satisfactory, adding that no other complaints regarding food quality, hygiene or safety were lodged by other passengers that day. IRCTC also asked for the woman’s PNR number to track the service further.
However, the issue has unfolded against the backdrop of recent high‑profile food quality complaints on other Vande Bharat services. In a separate case, passengers on a different Vande Bharat Express reported finding worms in curd served onboard. Indian Railways responded by imposing fines on IRCTC and the catering contractor and terminated the vendor’s contract. These developments signal heightened official scrutiny of catering standards on premium trains. Rail safety watchdogs and passenger rights advocates argue that such incidents underscore the need for more transparent oversight and stringent quality assurance in catering services.
Context and Implications for Rail Travel
Food quality and hygiene on Indian trains have long been contentious issues. While the Vande Bharat Express is marketed as a premium, high-speed service with higher fare brackets and expectations of enhanced comfort and amenities, multiple traveller accounts in recent months have raised doubts about the consistency of onboard catering. Previous complaints have included allegations of poor taste, stale items, lack of transparency in billing, and inconsistent availability.
While not all complaints involve health risks, the perception of poor food safety has heightened thanks to viral social media posts and subsequent official actions. Rail authorities have insisted on the importance of robust quality controls. Yet passenger activists and consumer rights experts argue that improved grievance mechanisms, onboard monitoring, and clear allergen disclosures are essential, especially on services that charge a mandatory catering fee and are expected to deliver higher standards.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At a time when millions rely on trains for safe, affordable travel, basic expectations like hygienic, safe food should be non‑negotiable, regardless of service class. Whether this particular health incident stemmed from an allergic sensitivity to an ingredient or a lapse in kitchen standards, authorities must treat such complaints with transparent inquiry, empathy and accountability, not dismissal. IRCTC’s stance that no other complaints were recorded does not address why these two travellers were affected, nor does it build public confidence that food safety risks are fully understood and mitigated. Ensuring food safety is not just a matter of compliance but of human dignity, travellers should feel confident that their basic needs will be met without jeopardising their health.
@RailwaySeva @drmljn Kindly look into the matter urgently. I was travelling in Vande Bharat 22500 E1 coach on 27.3.26 and after consuming lunch, I developed a severe allergy which could have been life threatening. My Son (2 yrs) too developed diarrhoea. (Photo attached for ref) pic.twitter.com/KBdyppDq4m
— The_Mediocre_Fille (@AyushiS54377868) March 30, 2026
