A passenger travelling on the Vande Bharat Express was left shocked after discovering a small metal piece in his onboard meal. The incident, captured in a video and shared on social media in April 2026, quickly went viral and prompted a prompt response from IRCTC, which assured a thorough investigation and action against the concerned catering partner.
The passenger, who was on a long-distance Vande Bharat journey, ordered a standard meal. While eating, he felt something hard in his mouth and, upon checking, found a small, sharp metal fragment mixed in with the food. He immediately recorded the evidence and posted it online, tagging IRCTC and Railway Ministry handles.
In the video, he can be seen holding up the tiny metal piece and expressing his disappointment: “Paid premium fare for Vande Bharat, and this is what we get in the meal? A metal piece? This is unacceptable.”
IRCTC’s Quick Response
Complimentary Nickel piece found in dinner in vande bharat sleeper (27576) .
— Jsk Travelogue (@jsktravelogue) April 7, 2026
Who will be responsible for my life?
Staff says … we will change food .
If I suffered some serious health condition Will they change me to my family?@RailMinIndia @RailwaySeva @AshwiniVaishnaw pic.twitter.com/cUNnylwWfh
IRCTC reacted swiftly to the complaint. In an official statement shared on social media, the organisation said:
“We have noted the complaint regarding the foreign object found in the meal served on Vande Bharat Express. The matter has been escalated to the concerned catering partner for immediate investigation. Strict action will be taken as per our quality and safety protocols. Passenger safety and satisfaction remain our top priority. We regret the inconvenience caused.”
IRCTC also requested the passenger to share his PNR and contact details privately so they could follow up personally and offer appropriate compensation or resolution.
This is not the first time food quality issues have surfaced on Vande Bharat trains. Earlier incidents involving insects, hair, or cold meals have also drawn criticism, though the metal piece case is considered more serious due to the potential safety risk (choking or injury).
Public Reaction: Anger & Calls for Better Standards
The video triggered strong reactions from netizens:
- Safety concerns: “Metal in food? This could have caused serious injury. How is this even possible on Vande Bharat?”
- Frustration with catering: “We pay premium prices expecting better quality, not hazards.” “IRCTC needs to audit catering partners more strictly.”
- Practical advice: “Always inspect meals carefully, especially on trains.” “Better to carry your own food for long journeys.”
Many compared it with past railway food scandals and demanded stricter FSSAI compliance and regular quality checks for onboard catering.
Broader Issue: Food Safety on Indian Trains
Vande Bharat trains are promoted as India’s flagship semi-high-speed service with upgraded facilities, including better catering. However, recurring complaints about meal quality, hygiene, and foreign objects highlight ongoing challenges in railway catering:
- Meals are often outsourced to third-party contractors.
- Quality control can vary across routes and contractors.
- High passenger volume makes consistent monitoring difficult.
Railways and IRCTC have been working on improvements such as:
- Introduction of pre-packed, sealed meals.
- More stringent vendor audits.
- Passenger feedback mechanisms via app and helpline.
Despite these efforts, incidents like this continue to damage the premium image of Vande Bharat services.
