A Delta flight from Detroit to Amsterdam (Delta Flight 136) carrying 277 passengers was diverted to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York on July 3rd after passengers were served spoiled meals.
Medical experts onboard advised the crew to divert the plane due to concerns about the food. The Airbus A330 landed safely at JFK at 4:00 am ET. Medical crews were waiting to treat any affected passengers and crew members upon landing.
Delta confirmed that a portion of the in-flight meals in the main cabin were spoiled. The airline launched an investigation and is working with their catering supplier to identify the issue. They apologized for the inconvenience and delays caused to passengers.
Passengers Report Spoiled Food
Several passengers came forward describing the inedible meals. One passenger told CBS News they saw black spots on their meal that they thought was burnt cheese, but later realized it was mold. Another passenger reported that someone who ate the chicken said it tasted sour. Photos circulating online appear to show mold on multiple meal packages.
Flight Delays and Passenger Rebooking
The number of passengers who became ill after consuming the food is unknown. Initial reports suggested 70 people were sick, but only 24 required medical attention upon landing. No passengers were hospitalized.
All 277 passengers were provided with hotel accommodations for the night and rebooked on flights to Amsterdam later that day or the following day. One passenger expressed frustration with the delay, but Delta was able to rebook her on a flight for Thursday afternoon.
Delta Air Lines took swift action on Wednesday after reports of spoiled food. The airline temporarily limited meal options on a significant number of international flights.
Pasta Only for Now
As a precaution, Delta replaced all meal options with just pasta on roughly 75 international flights on Wednesday and Thursday.
“Out of an abundance of caution,” a Delta spokesperson explained, “we’ve proactively adjusted in-flight meals on several international routes.”
Apologies and Investigation
Delta apologized to passengers affected by the spoiled food incident on the Detroit-Amsterdam flight. They acknowledged the inconvenience and delay caused.
The airline launched an investigation to determine the cause of the issue and prevent similar occurrences. Ash Dhokte, who leads onboard services at Delta, emphasized immediate corrective actions were underway in an email to staff.
Caterer Not Responding
Do&Co., the caterer for the problematic flight, has not yet commented on the incident.
Safety First During Peak Season
This incident unfolded during peak summer travel season, a period of intense competition for airlines. While onboard food safety issues are rare, Delta’s pasta-only approach was seen as a prudent measure.
It’s fair to say things happen, but there are definitely questions about how this situation unfolded.
Ideally, spoiled food should be caught before it ever reaches the plane. This involves strict quality control measures at the catering company and during airline inspections.
Flight attendants typically receive pre-packaged meals and wouldn’t necessarily cook them onboard. However, they are expected to visually inspect the food for damage or spoilage before serving it. Visible mold should have been a red flag.
Here’s why it’s concerning. Black mold is usually quite noticeable. Flight attendants lifting the lids or looking at the packaging should have raised concerns. Several passengers reported the mold, suggesting it wasn’t an isolated incident. This raises questions about the quality control process.
The problem might lie with the caterer’s storage or handling procedures, allowing the food to spoil before reaching the plane. Perhaps there were lapses in inspection due to time constraints or understaffing, either at the catering company or with Delta.
The Bottom Line
While unexpected situations can occur, the presence of black mold on multiple meals suggests a breakdown in procedures somewhere in the chain. An investigation is necessary to pinpoint the cause and prevent a repeat.
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