Unhygienic Vande Bharat Meals Seized in Kochi Raid; Catering Firm Fined ₹1 Lakh

Kochi, May 14, 2025 — In a significant crackdown on food safety violations, Kochi Municipal Corporation health officials raided a private railway catering unit in Kadavanthra, uncovering unhygienic conditions and seizing stale food intended for distribution on trains, including the Vande Bharat Express.

The raid was prompted by complaints from local residents about foul odors emanating from the facility. Upon inspection, officials discovered rotten meat, spoiled eggs, and cooked items like sambar and chapati stored in open trays surrounded by flies. Food packets labeled for Vande Bharat trains were also found. 

Further investigation revealed that the catering unit, operated by M/s Brindavan Food Products, lacked a valid commercial license and a sewage treatment plant, despite holding a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license. The facility had previously been fined for discharging waste into a nearby canal but failed to implement corrective measures. 

In response, the Indian Railways imposed a ₹1 lakh fine on the catering firm for failing to meet cleanliness standards. A high-level inquiry committee, comprising officials from the Thiruvananthapuram division and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), has been constituted to investigate the incident. 

IRCTC has assured passengers that measures are being taken to ensure the uninterrupted supply of hygienic food on trains and that corrective actions are underway to maintain high food quality and hygiene standards. 

This incident has raised concerns about food safety on Indian trains, particularly premium services like the Vande Bharat Express, which are expected to offer high-quality amenities. Passengers and authorities alike are calling for stricter monitoring and enforcement of food safety regulations to prevent such occurrences in the future.