Live insects found in sambar served on Vande Bharat Express, Railways imposes fine on caterer

A passenger on the Vande Bharat Express, travelling from Tirunelveli Junction to Chennai Egmore, was shocked to find live insects in the sambar served during the journey. The passenger filed a complaint with IRCTC and shared images of the contaminated food, which quickly spread on social media. The incident caught the attention of Congress MP Manickam Tagore, who raised concerns about food safety on premium trains.

MP questions Railways over hygiene

Tagore posted a message on social media tagging Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, saying, “Dear Ashwini Vaishnaw ji, live insects were found in the food served on the Tirunelveli-Chennai Vande Bharat Express. Passengers have raised concerns over hygiene and IRCTC’s accountability. What steps are being taken to address this and ensure food safety on premium trains?”

Dear @AshwiniVaishnaw ji ,live insects 🦟 were found in the food served on the Tirunelveli-Chennai #VandeBharatExpress

Passengers have raised concerns over hygiene and IRCTC’s accountability.
What steps are being taken to address this and ensure food safety on premium trains? pic.twitter.com/auR2bqtmip — Manickam Tagore .B🇮🇳மாணிக்கம் தாகூர்.ப (@manickamtagore) November 16, 2024

Southern Railways responds with investigation and fine

In response to the growing outcry, Southern Railways issued a statement clarifying the situation. The Railways said that an “immediate investigation was conducted.” Upon examining the food sample, they found that the insect was stuck to the lid of the aluminium container rather than in the sambar itself.

Clarification Regarding Complaint of Insect Found in Sambar pic.twitter.com/BL5AWRC0pS — Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) November 17, 2024

To address the negligence, the Railways imposed a fine of ₹50,000 ($592) on the catering contractor, Ms Brindavan Food Products. The statement further revealed that food samples had been sent for testing to ascertain the exact cause of contamination.

Railways commit to rigorous food safety measures

Southern Railways also reassured passengers about their commitment to food safety. “The Railways is conducting a detailed investigation into the incident, considering all possibilities regarding the source of contamination. The Railways remain committed to ensuring the quality of food provided to passengers, with regular inspections conducted on trains to monitor food standards. Passenger complaints are handled promptly through the Rail Madad system, ensuring timely resolution and follow-up,” the statement further read.

(With inputs from agencies)