Key Update

A passenger on the Vande Bharat Express has alleged that food served on the train triggered a severe allergic reaction in her, while her two-year-old son developed diarrhoea after eating the meal. Ayushi Singh shared a photograph of her swollen face on the social media platform X and urged the railways to investigate the incident. The official account of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation responded to the post, stating that officials had checked the food served on the train and found it satisfactory. The organisation also said that no other passengers had reported complaints about the meal on that day.

The Passenger Reports a Severe Reaction

Singh said she experienced a severe allergic reaction after eating lunch served on the Varanasi–Deoghar Vande Bharat Express on March 27. She also said her two-year-old son developed diarrhoea after consuming the meal. In a follow-up post, she shared another image of her swollen face and said a doctor informed her that the reaction could have turned life-threatening if she had delayed medical consultation.

IRCTC Response

IRCTC stated that officials checked the lunch served on Train No. 22500 (BSB–DGHR) in Coach E1 on March 27 and found it satisfactory. The organisation added that it did not receive any other complaints regarding food quality, hygiene or safety from passengers travelling on that service. When contacted for comment, IRCTC referred to its response posted on X.

The passenger Disputes the Explanation

Singh, however, disputed IRCTC’s claim. She said that both she and her son had consumed only the food served on the train, as their early-morning departure did not allow them to eat before boarding. She added that despite no other passengers reporting illness, both she and her child experienced health issues after the meal.

Source: The Hindustan Times