DELHI- A passenger on IndiGo (6E) flight 6E 2557 from Delhi (DEL) to Surat (STV) reported finding a plastic screw in his pre-packaged sandwich, raising serious concerns about in-flight catering safety standards.
The incident occurred on Thursday when passenger Preet Vaniawala discovered the screw in his chicken pahadi sandwich after purchasing it during the flight.
Photo: EurospotIndiGo Passenger Meal Issues
Vaniawala shared photographic evidence on the social media platform X, expressing relief that he hadn’t consumed the item during the flight.
“This is huge negligence in airline catering. Thank god I did not eat this on the flight—I could have choked myself onboard.”
Preet Vaniawala, IndiGo Passenger
He urged food safety authorities to investigate the airline’s catering facilities, adding that “everyone would be careful while eating food onboard” and that the situation “could have created an emergency.”
The passenger specifically tagged the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in his post, requesting inspection of the service provider’s facility responsible for preparing in-flight meals. His concern highlighted the potential medical emergency that could have occurred had he unknowingly consumed the foreign object while airborne.
A plastic screw out of 6E chicken pahadi sandwich. I was on board 6E 2557 DEL-STV. This is huge negligence in airline catering thank god I did not eat this on the flight I could have choked myself onboard. @IndiGo6E @shukla_tarun @AAI_Official @DelhiAirport @MpRammohannaidu pic.twitter.com/vB7OxCgK3E
— Preet Vaniawala (@VaniawalaPreet) May 1, 2025
IndiGo Response
IndiGo (6E) promptly addressed the issue, stating they “prioritise the safety and well-being of customers.” The airline noted that, according to their conversation with Vaniawala, the sandwich was consumed at home rather than during the flight, which meant the crew wasn’t alerted to the issue at the time of travel.
“As confirmed during our call, the sandwich was consumed at home, and therefore, the matter was not reported to our crew during the journey,” the airline stated in their official response.
“Regrettably, the absence of a sample makes it difficult for us to conduct a conclusive assessment.”
IndiGo Statement
“At IndiGo, we maintain the highest standards of food safety, with stringent quality checks in place to ensure that only approved and inspected snacks are served on board,” the company emphasised, reaffirming its commitment to passenger safety.
As confirmed during our call, the sandwich was consumed at home, and therefore, the matter was not reported to our crew during the journey. Regrettably, the absence of a sample makes it difficult for us to conduct a conclusive assessment. (2/4)
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) May 1, 2025
Previous Food Safety Issues
This isn’t the first food safety concern linked to IndiGo’s catering operations.
In February 2025, Telangana food safety officials inspected Instahot Foods Pvt. Ltd., an IndiGo (6E) food supplier in Hyderabad, and discovered multiple violations that raised significant concerns about quality control measures.
The inspection revealed cockroach infestations in both cooking and grinding areas, presenting a serious health hazard to consumers. Officials also found expired ingredients, including Kasturi Methi, mustard seeds, and nutmeg, with missing labels, indicating poor inventory management practices.
Task force team has conducted inspections in IDA Patancheru on 12.02.2025.
𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝗣𝘃𝘁 𝗟𝘁𝗱 (𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗼 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿),
𝗜𝗗𝗔 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘂
* Improper storage measured followed like storing… pic.twitter.com/dw48Pe3BV7
— Commissioner of Food Safety, Telangana (@cfs_telangana) February 13, 2025
Further compounding these issues, inspectors discovered rotten vegetables being stored for food preparation. Basic hygiene protocols were notably absent. Food items were improperly stored on the ground and placed beneath leaking air conditioners, creating conditions for potential contamination.
The inspection report highlighted that water analysis reports came from non-accredited laboratories, casting doubt on the validity of safety certifications. Additionally, the facility lacked critical documentation required for proper food safety management, suggesting systemic issues in quality control processes.
Photo: EurospotBottom Line
Food safety in aviation requires particularly stringent protocols. This is true as there is limited medical assistance available during flights and the potential for emergencies at high altitudes.
Industry experts note that foreign objects in airline meals represent serious safety hazards beyond mere quality issues. The confined environment of an aircraft cabin makes choking incidents particularly dangerous, as medical intervention may be delayed.
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