Woman Claims Food On Vande Bharat Triggered Allergy, IRCTC Says Inspection Found Meal "Satisfactory"

A woman has claimed she suffered a severe allergic reaction after eating a meal served onboard the Vande Bharat Express, sparking concern given the seriousness of the incident on one of India's premier train services. The woman, identified as Ayushi Singh, said she was travelling on the Vande Bharat Express from Varanasi to Deoghar on March 27, when the reaction began soon after she ate lunch in the E1 coach.

According to her post on X, she experienced noticeable swelling and discomfort shortly after consuming the onboard food. Singh also alleged that her two-year-old son developed diarrhoea after eating the same meal.

Her post quickly gained traction online, especially after she shared images of her swollen lips and face along with a doctor's prescription. Tagging Railway Seva, IRCTC, and the Railway Ministry, she warned that the reaction could have turned "life-threatening" if medical treatment had been delayed.

"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.

See the post here:

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. pic.twitter.com/ZegIcnHv4c

— The_Mediocre_Fille (@AyushiS54377868) March 30, 2026

Responding to the complaint, IRCTC defended its food quality, stating that an inspection found the meal to be "satisfactory." The agency also noted that no other passengers on the train reported illness or raised concerns about hygiene or food safety on that day.

It further reiterated that no additional complaints were received regarding the quality, safety, or hygiene of the food served during the journey.

"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," IRCTC wrote in response. 

However, Singh was not convinced. She replied, "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."

The viral post has since triggered debate online, with social media users expressing mixed reactions and raising questions about food safety standards on premium trains like the Vande Bharat Express.