Passenger Raises Alarm Over Hot Food Served in Plastic on Premium Trains
A significant public health concern has been brought to light by a passenger traveling on India's premium train services. On February 18, 2026, Avani Bansal, a passenger, shared her experience on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). She reported that while traveling on the Vande Bharat Express from Allahabad to Delhi, and previously on the Rajdhani Express from Delhi to Allahabad, she was served rotis and kachoris that were heated directly inside their sealed plastic packaging.
Details of the Passenger's Complaint
According to Bansal's post, the food items were provided hot while still enclosed in plastic wrappers. She mentioned that during her Rajdhani journey, she was hungry and consumed the hot food despite her concerns. The practice of heating food inside plastic packaging raises serious questions about potential chemical leaching and food safety standards, especially when served at high temperatures to passengers.
IRCTC's Official Response and Defense
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) responded promptly to the complaint on February 19, 2026. In their official reply from the account @IRCTCofficial, the corporation defended the practice. IRCTC stated that the packaging used is suitable for service as per the prevalent temperature standards maintained on trains. They emphasized that the packaging is unharmful from a health perspective and assured the public that the food served is entirely safe for consumption.
Key points from IRCTC's statement include:
- The packaging complies with existing temperature regulations for train food service.
- It is deemed safe and does not pose health risks to passengers.
- The food quality and safety are maintained according to established standards.
Broader Implications for Railway Food Safety
This incident highlights ongoing debates about food safety protocols in Indian railways, particularly on high-profile services like Vande Bharat and Rajdhani. Passengers and health advocates often express concerns over:
- The materials used in food packaging and their interaction with heat.
- The consistency of safety checks across different train routes.
- Transparency in communicating food handling practices to the public.
While IRCTC has reassured the safety of their methods, this event underscores the need for continuous monitoring and potential reviews of packaging standards to align with evolving health guidelines and passenger expectations.
