Stale food served on Vande Bharat and other long-distance trains: Catering unit shut down in Kochi

KOCHI: Shocking lapses in food safety were uncovered as meals prepared without any hygiene standards were found to have been distributed on Vande Bharat and five other long-distance trains. Over 50 kilograms of stale chicken meat, along with boiled eggs, chapatis,and other food items, were seized and destroyed by the health department of the Kochi Corporation.

The food was being prepared at an unauthorised unit operating without a license in Fathima Lane, Kadavanthara, as part of the Delhi-based Brandavan Food Products Cluster Kitchen. The unit was immediately shut down. A fine of Rs 10,000 was imposed for discharging wastewater into the stream. Furthermore, the electricity board was directed to disconnect the power supply. A heavy fine will be imposed on the contractor. Migrant labourers were employed as cooks, and their living conditions were found to be extremely unhygienic.

The action was initiated after nearby residents complained of a foul smell to the local councillor Antony Painuthara, who then informed the health inspector. A team led by Senior Public Health Inspector V.V. Suresh conducted the inspection. Upon seeing the officials, the workers fled the premises. Earlier, the officials had issued a warning and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the same unit. The latest action was taken following instructions from Mayor M. Anilkumar. Brandavan Cluster Kitchen has been supplying food to trains across India for nearly 60 years.

Seized and destroyed items:

Chapatis – 300

Dal curry – 20 kg

Chickpea curry – 15 litres

Kurma – 10 litres

Masala – 10 kg

Boiled eggs – 300

Chicken curry – 10 kg

Raw chicken – 42 kg

Spoiled soybeans – 50 kg

Railways to impose ₹1 lakh fine
The Railways will impose a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the catering unit. A team comprising the Divisional Commercial Manager from Thiruvananthapuram, a Health Officer, and the IRCTC Area Manager will conduct a detailed inquiry.

The Divisional Railway Manager stated that IRCTC has been instructed to take strict action. Although the catering unit held a food safety license, the Kochi Corporation reported that it was operating without a commercial license or proper waste management facilities. The Railways added that steps have been taken to ensure food supply to trains is not disrupted due to the unit’s closure.

“Strict action will be taken for distributing food and water in ways that endanger human life.”
— Adv. M. Anilkumar, Kochi Mayor

“Letters have been sent to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Southern Railway General Manager demanding urgent action.”
— Hibi Eden, MP