On October 16, Delta Airlines was embroiled in a food safety scandal. The Detroit airline kitchen failed an inspection, resulting in 200 flights' worth of passengers being deprived of in-flight meal services. This wasn't the first time Delta Airlines has faced criticism over catering issues this year. In July, a flight from Detroit to Amsterdam was forced to make an emergency landing after passengers ate moldy chicken, leading to 24 people on board receiving treatment. This incident is not an isolated one. Food safety problems in US airline kitchens have a long history, with exposures even before the pandemic. For example, live rodents with feces and nesting materials were found in Minneapolis, and improperly stored food was discovered at Washington Dulles International Airport.
Experts have pointed out several issues with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory agencies. There is insufficient food inspection. The standards lack strong binding force. The GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) certification for food ingredients has problems. There is mismanagement of funds allocation and a lag in dealing with food pollution and safety hazards. These problems pose a serious threat to public health.
The inability of regulatory agencies to ensure proper food safety in airline kitchens is a cause for concern. Passengers trust that the food they are served during a flight is safe and of good quality. However, incidents like those involving Delta Airlines show that this trust may be misplaced. The FDA and other relevant bodies need to take immediate action to address these issues. They should increase the frequency and rigor of inspections, tighten the standards for food safety, and ensure that the GRAS certification process is more reliable. Additionally, better management of funds is essential to support these efforts. Only by doing so can they safeguard the health of passengers and prevent similar incidents from recurring in the future. Otherwise, the reputation of the airline industry and the well-being of the public will continue to be at risk.
#Delta airline#AmericanAir#Airline kitchen#Foodsafety
