As Delta Air Lines investigates how moldy chicken was served to several passengers out of Detroit, it has slashed meals on dozens of international flights “out of an abundance of caution.” These days on Delta your choice is pasta…or pasta.
Pictures Of Moldy Chicken Emerge From Delta Air Lines Flight
On July 2, 2024, Delta Air Lines flight 136 departed Detroit (DTW) at 10:35 pm for Amsterdam (AMS). The flight was operated by an Airbus A330-300. Like all transatlantic flights, a meal was served after takeoff.
But it was soon discovered that at least some of the meals were “contaminated” and this was only discovered after they were served. To address the potential food poisoning of passengers and crew onboard, the flight diverted to New York Kennedy, landing at 3:59 am local time.
The problem was mold and pictures of the moldy chicken have now emerged.
In response, Delta has suspended meal choices on 75 international routes (saying this is “out of an abundance of caution”) and also ordered staff to inspect meals before serving them. That second point is key but also why I do not fault Delta (versus Delta’s caterers) for the incident.
Economy class meals come wrapped in foil and are warmed in that wrapping (different colors designate the different dishes). It’s not standard protocol to open those because it 1.) makes the food cold and 2.) is less sanitary to have additional hands on your food. Thus, it is not surprising why the meals escaped detection on DL136.
However, you can expect slower meal service and fewer choices until Delta can get to the bottom of what caused such spoiled meals to be placed on its aircraft. That’s probably a reasonable tradeoff to avoid more moldy chicken…
All this makes me (again) not want to eat airline meals any longer…
> Read More: Delta Flight Diverts After Passengers Served “Contaminated” Meals
image: Facebook / CBS News
High premium airline
@Chi … +1 . lol
How do the other airlines avoid serving moldy dishes?
This is not on Delta. This is on their supplier. Something went wrong in their production process. Unless other airlines use the same supplier, they should not have this issue.
Wow!!! Forget the mold. That meal alone looks absolutely disgusting. On the other hand, I am flying Delta One this week to Europe and was invited to make my meal choice in advance. There were 6 different main entrees and they all looked delicious (on paper). I usually eat at home before heading to the airport and skip the meal and fast for the duration of the flight.
@Santastico … +1 . I have only alcohol and rest .
ahh…excuse me. That is Premium mold. When you have the best compensated, highest performing personnel in the industry, this is not an accident or oversight.
@TimDone … Especially their food service inspectors would claim it is not an accident nor oversight .
It is basic incompetence .
Given the heat wave that we are having maybe the delivery carrier air conditioner was not working properly, the food in sealed containers just went bad.
But mold that quickly?
I’ve worked for AA Catering in CLT for 10 yrs. The catering trucks do not have an air conditioner in the box of the truck. The meals are prepared in the kitchen (LSG – Lufthansa Sky Group in CLT) and chilled in a room at approximately 35 degrees. They are inspected by employees with a flashlight for any restricted items, then a plastic seal is attached. The cart then goes onto the truck & is delivered to the aircraft ASAP & the chiller is activated. These meals must have been sitting around for a long time, and/or were not refrigerated properly.
But but Delta is still #1
@TimDunn … Has anyone actually checked to verify the kitchen employees wash their hands in hot water .
Didn’t think so . It is all on the airline .
So no food on 75 routes? Premium.
I believe they’re suspending meal CHOICES on 75 flights, not meals entirely.
Hey, plant-based food – what more could you want? Also, if this came from Gate Gourmet, maybe this is a reminder from their employees wanting a new contract?
The pasta-only option was only for two days (3 and 4 July), and only for flights departing the U.S. It’s back to chicken or pasta now.
DC&CO premium caterer for DL at DTW