It turns out that turbulence might not be the only thing to fear while flying. FDA inspection records reveal airline food preparation kitchens have numerous hygiene issues, including the presence of roaches and mice, unsanitary conditions and no access for employee hand washing.
The absence of proper oversight in food preparation may put consumers at greater risk for food-borne illness. “Airline food is found to have deficiencies similar to what one might find in certain restaurants. Even when you board an airplane, although you don’t expect haute cuisine, you still expect food that’s not going to make you sick,” says ACSH’s Dr. Gilbert Ross.
“Whenever you have a food service that feeds millions of meals, you’re bound to have some lapses,” adds ACSH's Jeff Stier. “However, no data was provided to show that the airline industry’s lapses are beyond the normal range.”