A passenger has alleged that she experienced a serious allergic reaction after consuming food served onboard the Vande Bharat Express, raising concerns about catering standards on one of India’s flagship train services. The woman, identified as Ayushi Singh, stated that she was travelling from Varanasi to Deoghar on March 27 when she began feeling unwell shortly after having lunch in the E1 coach. According to her account, the symptoms appeared rapidly after the meal, prompting alarm about the possible cause. The incident has since drawn attention due to the severity of the reaction and the growing reliance on onboard catering services.
In a post shared on X, Singh described experiencing visible swelling and discomfort soon after eating the meal provided during the journey. She further claimed that her two-year-old son also fell ill, developing diarrhoea after consuming the same food. To support her claims, she uploaded photographs showing swelling on her lips and face, along with a doctor’s prescription. Tagging Railway Seva, IRCTC, and the Railway Ministry, she warned that the situation could have become far more dangerous if timely medical attention had not been sought, highlighting the potential risks involved.
“This is how the allergy escalated further, and after consulting a doctor, I was told that it could have been life-threatening had I not consulted immediately,” she wrote. The post quickly went viral, drawing widespread attention and prompting a response from the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Addressing the allegations, the agency maintained that the food served onboard met required standards. It stated that an inspection had been conducted and the meal was found to be satisfactory, with no irregularities reported during checks carried out after the complaint surfaced.
IRCTC further clarified that no other passengers on the same train reported any illness or raised concerns related to food quality, hygiene, or safety on that particular day. Reiterating its position, the agency emphasised that it had not received any additional complaints regarding the catering service during the journey. In its response, IRCTC stated, “Lunch on Train No. 22500 BSB-DGHR Vande Bharat Express (Coach E1) on 27.03.2026 was checked & found satisfactory. No other complaints received reg. Quality/Hygiene or safety of food on the day,” asserting that the service met expected standards.
However, Singh expressed dissatisfaction with the response, stating that her personal experience could not be dismissed simply because others were unaffected. She pointed out that both she and her son had consumed only the train-provided food due to their early departure, leaving them with no alternative. “I am glad that no one else fell ill. But I and my son did. As our train was scheduled for early morning, we couldn't have breakfast at home. So whatever we ate was in Vande Bharat only. But clearly this doesn't matter to you, as we were the ONLY ones who suffered,” she responded.
The incident has since sparked widespread discussion across social media platforms, with users expressing divided opinions on the matter. While some supported Singh and raised concerns about food safety on premium trains, others backed IRCTC’s stance, citing the absence of similar complaints from fellow passengers. The episode has reignited debate over the quality control measures in place for onboard catering services, particularly on high-end trains like the Vande Bharat Express, where passengers expect both comfort and strict adherence to safety standards.