A female passenger travelling on the Varanasi–Deoghar Vande Bharat Express, reported a suspected allergic reaction after consuming the meal served onboard. She stated that her lips began swelling shortly after eating, indicating a possible acute allergic response. The passenger described the episode as serious and sought medical attention.
She also reported that her two-year-old child, who consumed the same meal, developed diarrhoea during the journey. The symptoms in both individuals appeared soon after food intake, suggesting a possible link between the meal and the health complaints.
The incident took place on Train No. 22500, operating between Varanasi and Deoghar. The passenger shared details of the event on social media on the same day, along with images of her symptoms and a doctor’s prescription. The post gained significant attention online and led to a response from railway authorities.
She share on X,
Kindly look into the matter urgently. I was travelling in Vande Bharat 22500 E1 coach on 27.3.26 and after consuming lunch, I developed a severe allergy which could have been life threatening. My Son (2-years-old) too developed diarrhoea.
Ayushi S
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), responsible for onboard catering services, responded to the complaint after it went viral. The agency stated that the food served on that journey had undergone quality checks and was found to meet prescribed standards.
IRCTC further noted that no other passengers on the same train reported similar complaints related to food safety or quality. Officials have requested additional details from the complainant to support further investigation into the matter.
In this case, there is no confirmed evidence identifying the specific cause of the reported symptoms. The available information establishes a temporal association between food intake and onset of symptoms but does not confirm causation.
The incident remains under review, with IRCTC examining the complaint and related evidence. No official conclusion regarding the cause of the reaction has been released so far.
(Rh/SS)
