Notably, food packets meant for the Vande Bharat Express were among the seized items.
Published May 14, 2025 | 4:08 PM ⚊ Updated May 15, 2025 | 1:09 PM
Food on Vande Bharat train. (Representational/ Wikimedia commons)
Synopsis: Kochi Corporation raided a railway catering unit in Kadavanthra, seizing unhygienic food, including meals meant for Vande Bharat Express. Despite prior warnings and fines, the facility operated in unsanitary conditions. Locals raised concerns over foul smells and health risks. The incident renews scrutiny of IRCTC’s vendor oversight.
In a major health crackdown, Kochi Corporation officials, on Tuesday, 13 May evening, raided a private railway catering facility in Kadavanthra and seized large quantities of unhygienically prepared food, some of which was labelled for distribution on trains like the Vande Bharat Express.
The raid followed mounting complaints from local residents about foul smells and unsanitary practices at the site.
There were also lapses in cleanliness standards that were reported at the Ernakulam base kitchen that supplies food to Mail and Express trains.
The corporation’s health squad found a range of cooked items including sambar, chapati, meat dishes, dosa, boiled eggs, and stale chicken stored in appalling conditions. Many of the items were allegedly emitting a foul odour and were infested with flies and pests. Raw ingredients like grains and soybeans were also allegedly kept exposed in fly-ridden areas.
Notably, food packets meant for the Vande Bharat Express were among the seized items. The train, touted as the pride of Indian Railways, promises a premium travel experience with high-speed transit and meals provided by the IRCTC, though the actual preparation is often outsourced to private vendors.
Health officials said the Kadavanthra facility, operating with a licence from the Kochi Corporation, had been previously warned, fined, and instructed to install a wastewater management system. However, repeated violations were reported. Locals alleged the facility continued to function without complying with basic sanitary norms.
South First spoke to the corporation health committee member Sudheesh Kumar, who confirmed that the facility had been penalised earlier for discharging untreated waste into a nearby canal. Despite notices and fines, the facility continued to flout safety norms, he said.
Tensions escalated Tuesday evening when local women, disturbed by an overpowering stench, alerted authorities and councillor Antony Painuthara. Upon checking, stale chicken was found stored inside the godown, prompting immediate action.
Migrant workers employed at the centre were reportedly housed in unhygienic living quarters. Officials first inspected their rooms before examining the food preparation area. The entire facility was described as a cluster kitchen with extremely poor sanitary conditions.
This incident adds to a growing list of food safety concerns linked to IRCTC-contracted meals. Despite IRCTC’s oversight role, multiple complaints about Vande Bharat Express meals, including reports of worms, cockroaches, and stale portions, have surfaced in recent months.
Though IRCTC has apologised for previous lapses, the latest case raises fresh questions about quality control and vendor accountability.
On Thursday, 15 May, following the inspection by health officials, the Railways imposed a penalty of ₹1 lakh on the catering firm.
A high-level committee comprising the Divisional Commercial Manager, Health Officer of Thiruvananthapuram Division, and the Area Manager of IRCTC has been constituted to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident.
Though the catering unit, run by M/s. Brindavan Food Products, held a valid FSSAI license, Kochi Corporation officials pointed out that it lacked a commercial license and a sewage treatment plant (STP), both mandatory for such operations.
Meanwhile, IRCTC has assured passengers that arrangements have been made to ensure uninterrupted and hygienic food supply to trains.
The corporation also stated that corrective steps are being initiated to improve hygiene and food quality standards across its catering units.
The Railways has advised IRCTC to initiate stringent action against the contractor for the reported violations.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman, and Dileep V Kumar)
