Filming a social media advertisement for a portable Zyliss raclette grill inside a moving Südostbahn train from Zurich toward Lugano without a permit has triggered an internal railway investigation, 20 Minuten reported.
Food influencer Emanuel Sarbach published the video on his Instagram channel to promote the kitchen appliance manufacturer’s device, using the slogan “Richtige Schweizer essen Raclette überall, auch im Zug” and eating the meal in a family compartment. According to Zyliss, the portable raclette oven was chosen for the train setting to highlight its built-in ventilation system designed to reduce smoke and odors.
Some Instagram users responded positively, with one suggesting “Im Zug ist super!” “Oder im Grossraumbüro” and another adding “Im Flugzeug Richtung Nordkap.” A 17-year-old told 20 Minuten, “Bei einer Notbremsung wird ein heisser Racletteofen voller geschmolzenem Käse gerade im Familienabteil zu einer massiven Gefahr,” and asked, “Was ist, wenn das jetzt Leute nachmachen?”
The railway company stated it only learned of the shoot after the video was published. “Für diesen Dreh gab es keine Genehmigung,” a media spokeswoman said, adding that the Südostbahn loves raclette “aber nicht im fahrenden Zug, sondern in einer gemütlichen Stube, wo das Raclette-Öfeli sicher steht und nicht beim Bremsen oder Kurvenfahren vom Tisch rutschen kann.”
The Südostbahn also raised concerns regarding power usage and safety, explaining that train power outlets are meant for mobile devices like phones and laptops rather than household appliances that draw more current and risk tripping the train’s circuit breakers.
The spokeswoman further warned of burn risks, stating, “Bei einer abrupten Bremsung könnte das heisse Gerät herunterfallen.” The company is now examining the incident internally to determine potential consequences.
In response to the backlash, Zyliss and the creative agency Offroad, which produced the commercial, issued a statement saying, “Eine schriftliche Drehbewilligung der SOB lag nicht vor. Dafür möchten wir uns entschuldigen.” Both organizations emphasized that safety remained paramount during production, noting that “Während der gesamten Aufnahme war eine Person ausschliesslich für die Überwachung des Raclette-Grills verantwortlich.”
