Sydney, Aug 24 (IANS): An Indian-origin vegetarian woman, who had never eaten meat or eggs, fell sick after being served chicken by mistake on a Singapore Airlines flight from New Zealand to India.

The woman - 56-year-old Pushplata Sharma, of Blenheim, New Zealand - is a Hindu who, as part of her religion, does not eat meat or eggs, said the Sydney Morning Herald.

She inadvertently ate the chicken that was served to her on a Singapore Airlines flight to New Delhi in February.

Singapore Airlines has said it was concerned that Sharma was served the wrong food, but claimed her booking did not ask for any special meal.

Sharma claimed to have asked for an Indian meal free of meat and eggs, which was reportedly shown on the itinerary given to her.

However, there was a mix-up between her travel agent and the airline, and the request was forgotten and the wrong meal was served.

Sharma said that when she was given the food, she thought it was cheese. She realised it was chicken only after she had eaten some, and immediately felt sick.

The Indian woman could speak very little English, and a crew members who understood her immediately apologised and brought her rice, chickpeas and bread, but she did not eat.

She said she felt sick whenever she thought of the meal, and had to go a doctor for treatment for depression.

Singapore Airlines New Zealand official Murray Wild said the company took the incident seriously.

"We are concerned to learn of this incident, and we regret any distress this may have caused," he said.