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In February 2026, a viral video depicting pre-cooked chapatis being warmed in the direct petroleum packaging and served to the passengers on the Vande Bharat Express caused massive outrage and health threats across social media.

The video, which is circulating on X and Instagram, displays the catering staff on a Vande Bharat train putting the packed chapatis in plastic pouches inside a microwave oven. The pouches are then opened after the heating process, and the chapati is then served to the passengers hot. Lots of users showed concern and raised doubts about the safety of reheating food in plastic under high temperatures, as they result in microplastic leaching, the release of BPA and phthalates, and the development of harmful substances like dioxins.

The video rapidly went viral with captions such as "This is what we are being served on Vande Bharat?" and health over speed? Netizens gave tags to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, IRCTC, and other food safety authorities who wanted their clarification on the issue.

An official response was made on February 19, 2026, by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC):

The packed chapati sold in the trains of Vande Bharat station is processed and packed in food-grade plastic pouches of BPA-free, microwave-safe certifications according to the FSSAI guidelines. These are specifically made in such a way such that they can be heated in the microwave to high temperatures up to 120-130°C within short periods of time without emitting dangerous chemicals. It is safe, hygienic, and popular in most global airline and rail airline catering systems for delivering hot, fresh food.

IRCTC further clarified:

• Regular lab testing is done on all packaging material.
• Heating is a strictly limited time and controlled by temperature process.
• Occupants of Vande Bharat trains have not recorded any cases of health-related issues associated with this type of packaging.
• Concerned passengers will have the option of freshly made products in the pantry onboard or non-microwaved food.

With the clarification in place, however, numerous doctors and nutritionists went ahead to issue warnings on social media. Dr. Dimple Jangda (gut authority) tweeted, "Even plastic in the food grade can be a source of microplastics or chemicals after being heated many times. It is the exposure in the long term that is the issue.

The incident has added a new controversy to the debate regarding the convenience, health of the passengers, and speed of the high-speed rail in India. In spite of the fact that the method is safe and is in full compliance with IRCTC, several passengers have insisted on a replacement with materials that are ecologically friendly and non-plastic, like biodegradable trays or fresh onboard preparation.

To date, the Railways did not declare a change in the policy of the catering packaging in Vande Bharat trains.