Health officials from Kochi Corporation seized stale and contaminated food from a private railway catering unit in Kadavanthra on Wednesday.
The food, meant for distribution on several trains, including the Vande Bharat Express, was found in appalling conditions.
The raid followed repeated complaints from local residents. They had long alleged unhygienic practices at the catering facility.
On Tuesday night, the foul smell coming from the premises forced local women to approach councillor Antony Painuthara. They found rotting chicken stored in the godown. The councillor then called for immediate inspection.
The next day, Kochi Corporation’s health team entered the premises. What they found was shocking. Cooked items like boiled eggs, meat curries, sambar, dosa and chapati were stored in open trays, surrounded by flies. The food gave off a strong, unpleasant odour. Food packets labelled for Vande Bharat were also found.
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Health Inspector VV Suresh said the kitchen was operating in very poor sanitary conditions. Grains and soybeans were left uncovered. Insects and pests were visible all around. “We acted after receiving fresh complaints,” he said. “Stale food and cooked meals were found left out in the open.”
The team also discovered that migrant workers were cooking the food. Complaints had earlier been made about their unhygienic living conditions. Officials inspected their rooms before checking the kitchen. Many locals also claimed the facility lacked a valid licence. The Corporation had issued warnings and fines to the unit in the past.
Officials added that the facility was discharging wastewater into a canal nearby. The Corporation had fined the operators for this earlier and directed them to install proper waste treatment systems. It appears that little had changed since then.
According to sources, the catering was carried out under a private contract. While the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) oversees food service on trains like the Vande Bharat Express, much of the actual cooking is outsourced. IRCTC has not yet released a statement on the raid.
The Vande Bharat Express is promoted as the pride of Indian Railways. These semi-high-speed trains promise modern facilities, including freshly prepared meals. However, food quality has been a persistent issue.
In recent months, passengers have posted complaints on social media. Reports have included stale food, foul smells, cockroaches, and even worms in meals. While IRCTC has apologised for some incidents, serious lapses continue to surface.
The latest raid in Kochi adds to growing concerns over food safety on Indian trains. With premium services like Vande Bharat under scrutiny, authorities are now expected to tighten checks on vendors and ensure better monitoring.
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