The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has initiated action following a food safety controversy on a Vande Bharat Express after a passenger allegedly found worms in a curd cup served onboard. The incident has triggered scrutiny of catering standards on premium trains.
As per media reports, IRCTC has issued a notice to Amul seeking an explanation and has moved to terminate the catering contractor responsible for onboard services. The complaint reportedly emerged from a Vande Bharat route, prompting immediate intervention from railway authorities.
In response, Amul has denied that the contamination originated at the manufacturing stage, stating that the presence of worms in a sealed product is scientifically unlikely and may have occurred due to external factors post-packaging.
Reports suggest that railway authorities have also imposed penalties on the catering vendor and associated entities, signalling a zero-tolerance approach towards lapses in food safety and service quality on premium trains. The action forms part of a broader effort to tighten oversight of onboard catering operations.
The incident has reignited concerns around hygiene standards in railway catering, particularly on high-speed services like Vande Bharat. IRCTC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring safe, high-quality food for passengers, with further investigations underway to determine accountability and prevent similar occurrences.
