You never know what you’re going to get with an in-flight meal – but this one came with an extra shocking surprise.
Earlier this month, a Delta Air Lines flight from Detroit to Amsterdam was forced to make an emergency landing at JFK Airport because of “spoilt food” that sickened passengers.
Although experts have said that food safety regulations are not tighter with airline food, is it possible to tell which in-flight meals are safe to eat and what to avoid?
Darin Detwiler, an associate professor of food policy at Northeastern University and author of “Food Security: Past, Present and Prospects,” told Food & Wine that food security issues are a potential problem across the board. airline — and that it’s likely not “just a Delta issue.”
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does regulate food safety for caterers and airlines, but Detwiler said they are not inspected as often as restaurants.
Because of this, experts believe that some foods are safer bets than others for in-flight meals, such as choosing a pasta dish over something containing meat.
It can be hard to tell if chicken or beef is bad just by looking at it—unless there’s visible mold. But “even then, you wouldn’t know until you open the package,” Detwiler said, adding that if it’s covered in sauce or if the person isn’t paying full attention, it would be hard to notice.
Spoiled chicken can smell or taste “off,” but if it’s covered in sauce and flavoring, the bad smell or taste can be masked, said food safety expert Ellen Shumaker, director of outreach for the University’s Safe Plates program. North Carolina State. outlet.
“The best way to reduce the risk of getting foodborne illness from chicken is to make sure it’s fully cooked by using a food thermometer,” Shumaker said.
Instead of a food thermometer, which most passengers don’t carry on board, Detwiler suggested bringing home-cooked food — the only way to ensure safety standards are met.
“I know some people who will only bring their own food on the plane,” he said — and he’s not the only one who recommends BYOF travelers.
“For those who are concerned about food security while traveling, they may consider bringing shelf-stable foods for the plane like granola bars, trail mix and nuts,” Shumaker said. “Also be sure to wash your hands frequently while traveling.”
If you happen to accidentally eat moldy chicken on a flight, “the causes of illness can be different depending on the situation,” explained Wade Syers, a food safety specialist at Michigan State University. “Molds are generally thought of as spoilage organisms—microorganisms that make food look, taste, and smell bad.”
But some molds produce mycotoxins, toxic compounds that make people sick.
“Some mycotoxins can be very harmful. Some can lead to gastrointestinal problems, like vomiting and diarrhea, and even neurological problems,” Detwiler said. “There are only so many bathrooms and resources to deal with that on an airplane.”
Mold can also mean there’s spoilage, which “doesn’t cause foodborne illness, but it can cause stomach upset and nausea because of these unpleasant tastes and smells,” Shumaker said, adding that there is also a risk of bacterial infections such as Salmonella or Campylobacter.
At the end of the day, the only surefire way to make sure your food for your flight is good to eat is to pack it yourself.
#meal #safe #eat #flight #find #experts #advise
Image Source : nypost.com
