IRCTC Under Fire for Milk Quality on Vande Bharat Express Trains

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is under intense scrutiny following a viral incident involving substandard milk served on a Vande Bharat Express train. On July 11, Rajendra Pal Gautam, a prominent political figure, publicly criticized the quality of food safety protocols after being served curdled milk with his meal during a journey on the Nizamuddin-to-Jhansi line.

A video released by Gautam on social media showed the visibly curdled milk portion, described as a 'chemical concoction', raising concerns about passenger health on these premium trains that charge higher fares for supposedly superior services.

IRCTC confirmed that the milk was sourced from the Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation (OMFED), a certified provider, and that the batch was within its expiration date. However, they admitted failures in last-mile logistics and handling by onboard service staff, leading to formal reprimands and the issuance of stricter corrective measures.

The incident has reignited discussions about the consistency of cold chain logistics and food safety across India's railways, with social media users and consumer advocacy groups demanding action from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Critics point out that while IRCTC has improved procurement and vendor policies, temperature-control during meal preparation and service remains a significant issue. The Vande Bharat Express, marketed as a symbol of modern, high-speed transport in India, faces reputational risks as a result of such incidents.

Market analysts observe that real-time digital complaints are compelling public transport entities to address operational shortcomings more swiftly. There are calls for the Ministry of Railways to implement independent quality audits and enhance training for temperature-sensitive food handling to prevent future occurrences.