After viral weevil video, Amul rules out production flaws, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation and Railways penalise caterer, probe service-level hygiene
The controversy surrounding alleged insect contamination in an Amul dahi cup served aboard the Vande Bharat Express has deepened, with Amul issuing a detailed clarification denying the allegations and presenting findings from an internal probe conducted in consultation with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation.
The issue dates back to 15 March, when a video from the Patna–Tatanagar route surfaced online, purportedly showing live weevils inside a sealed curd container. The footage triggered widespread concern over food safety standards on one of India’s flagship trains, prompting swift action from the Ministry of Railways.
Amul Refutes Contamination Claims
Responding to the allegations, Amul said its “comprehensive investigation” across the supply chain found no evidence of contamination at the manufacturing stage. The company categorically ruled out the possibility of infestation occurring during production.
“Following a comprehensive investigation and a meeting with IRCTC officials, we would like to inform that such infestation is scientifically and operationally impossible within our production cycle,” Amul said in its official statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The company added that its audit processes revealed “no deviations or non-conformities at any stage.” It also stated that the batch in question did not originate from its authorised distribution network.
“Furthermore, it was determined that the specific batch in question was not supplied to the train through Amul’s authorised distribution network,” the company added, indicating the likelihood of a supply chain lapse beyond its purview.
Amul further highlighted that its curd products are manufactured in ISO-certified facilities, adhering to stringent Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure hygiene and quality.
Providing a scientific explanation, the company maintained that the presence of weevils inside sealed curd is highly unlikely. “From a biological standpoint, weevils cannot survive or reproduce within the curd mass due to absence of oxygen and the acidic nature of the product,” the statement read.
It also emphasised that the refrigeration conditions required for storing dahi are incompatible with environments in which such pests thrive. “The required consistent refrigeration storage for dahi is incompatible with the dry, warm environments that weevils need to thrive,” it said.
Contamination Likely During Serving Stage
Based on its review of the viral video, Amul suggested that the contamination may have occurred during the serving process rather than at the production stage.
“Analysis of consumer-posted video evidence indicates that the pests likely originated from an infested serving tray provided by the onboard vendor rather than the product itself,” the company noted.
Railways Initiates Strict Action
The incident prompted a strong response from authorities after the video gained traction online, with multiple passengers also flagging similar concerns, intensifying scrutiny of onboard catering services.
Taking cognisance of the matter, the Ministry of Railways imposed a penalty of Rs 50 lakh on the catering service provider and terminated its contract. In addition, IRCTC was fined Rs 10 lakh for lapses in ensuring food quality standards.
In its official statement, the Railways said, “The complaint regarding food quality raised by a passenger in train number 21896 (Patna–Tatanagar Vande Bharat Express) on 15 March 2026 has been taken seriously. Action taken, IRCTC has been penalised Rs 10 lakh, the service provider has been penalised with Rs 50 lakh and ordered to terminate the contract. Passenger safety and quality remain our top priority.”
