Maybe it's a good thing that most airline flights no longer include meals? The FDA found live and dead roaches as well as listeria bacteria during a recent inspection of the LSG Sky Chefs airline food preparation facility by the Denver airport. The company was warned by the federal agency that they could be barred from providing food to airlines in Denver if they didn't quickly correct the situation.
LSG is owned by German airline Lufthansa and has 43 airline catering kitchen around the United States, including one at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. The company provides in-flight meals to 300 airlines worldwide including Delta, American, US Airways, Icelandair and United at MSP. Continental is only major U.S. to still provide meals to all passengers on select meal-time flights. LSG is not contracted to provide meals to Continental's passengers. LSG, in addition to providing first and business class meals, prepares meals that are sold in-flight by cabin attendants.
The general manager and executive chef in Denver were fired and LSG has taken the findings very seriously. The FDA letter to LSG noted that inspectors found live and dead roaches "too numerous to count" in several kitchen locations. They also reported that at least 40 live insects were found in the silverware station. To make matters even worse, the FDA inspectors found kitchen staff handling food with their bare hands and dirty gloves.
LSG's spokesperson said they haven't received any reports of ill airline passengers but are taking very aggressive action to ensure that they pass the follow-up FDA inspection this coming week.
In recent months there have been other reports of dirty kitchen facilities at airline terminals as well. The best suggestions? Eat at home before you head to the airport, bring food with you that you know comes from a clean environment or eat after you arrive at your destination. Considering that airport food is over-priced and not very good, avoidance may just be the best course to follow.
Comments
Ok, that photo is too much for me, as I have long thought we could balance nature without including the insect world.
Ugh, that is sickening. Thanks for the wonderful photo too :) I could have done without that. Glad people are taking their own food up in the skies these days. Gross!
Yuk! How very unappetizing! However, we have no idea how many restaurants have just the same situation where we eat blissfully unaware of all the bugs and unsanitary conditions in the kitchen. I am glad they "busted" them, though, and hope they are made to clean up their act!
Glad they are no longer feeding people! However, they are still serving food on longer flights. With all the carry-on limitations, it is challenging to BYOF.
Wow! This is no laughing matter. Thanks for shedding light on this nasty problem. Way back when, there was a time when the airlines prepared their own passenger meals, and even had management staff do taste testings. This is scary and disgusting. Your advice is right on. Thanks for a great story, Marc.
Anybody that is totally shocked over this news has absolutely no idea what to expect at ANY given restaurant. Obviously way too many people live in a world of Rose Colored Glasses. If you want to see filthy......you see the kitchen in a chinese restaurant. (These bugs are nothing!)
Continental is the only airline I have eaten on lately. I am sighing in relief. This article has really made me realize not to order food from airlines...or eat it.
ewww thanks Marc, I'll be toting my own from now on...ewwww!
LSG Sky Chefs is pleased to report that our Denver facility has passed the required re-inspection by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been restored immediately to “APPROVED” status as of Jan. 20, 2010. According to the results of the re-inspection, which took place during the week of January 4-8, 2010, the company has taken action to resolve the issues cited by the FDA in their original notice dated December 10th. Food safety and security is a constant focus for our organization. We have taken this matter very seriously, and are confident that the progressive and focused actions taken to bring the facility into compliance ensure that we continue to consistently prepare safe, high quality products to the flying public, as is consistent with our almost 70 year history as the industry leader.
We remain committed to constant evaluation and achievement of rigorous quality standards that meet or exceed all regulations.
Now we know why airline food is so bad.
Gross! I hate airline food. Now I feel justified ;)
This explains that soft peanut they gave me...
Cheers..
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