Food Manifest 
Key Update
Passengers on a busy intercity train were left shocked after a Mumbai-based entrepreneur reported finding an insect in the food served onboard the Vande Bharat Express. The discovery created panic in his coach, with several passengers refusing to continue eating their meals. The incident occurred on April 6, 2026, on the Ahmedabad–Mumbai Vande Bharat train.
Passenger Shares Complaint on Social Media
Aditya Didwania, an entrepreneur from Mumbai, shared the incident on X (formerly Twitter). He posted photos and videos that appeared to show an insect in the meal served during the journey. According to Didwania, the issue was not an isolated case. He claimed that at least two similar incidents were noticed in his coach, after which many passengers stopped eating the food altogether. In his post, he also named the vendor responsible for the catering service and tagged railway authorities, urging them to take immediate action and ensure proper food safety standards. The post quickly gained traction online and sparked widespread discussion about hygiene standards in railway catering services.
IRCTC Imposes ₹10 Lakh Fine
Responding to the complaint, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) acknowledged the issue and expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to passengers. The corporation stated that it had taken the matter seriously and imposed a penalty of ₹10 lakh on the service provider responsible for the catering. It also issued a termination notice for the vendor’s contract. Authorities further sealed the vendor’s kitchen for deep cleaning and pest control as part of immediate corrective measures. IRCTC reiterated that passenger safety and hygiene remain its top priorities.
Calls for Stricter Hygiene Checks
The incident also triggered a broader conversation on social media about food quality on trains. Several users called for stronger monitoring and regular inspections of onboard catering services. Some suggested that IRCTC should deploy inspectors to check raw materials, expiry dates, hygiene practices and overall food preparation standards. Others said they prefer carrying their own food or ordering meals from external delivery platforms during long train journeys.
Recurring Concerns Over Train Food Safety
The controversy comes close on the heels of another incident last month, when a passenger reportedly found worms in curd served during a train journey. That episode also led to penalties imposed on IRCTC by the Ministry of Railways. Repeated complaints like these have once again highlighted the need for consistent hygiene checks and stricter enforcement of food safety standards across railway catering services.
Source: India Today
