Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Flight Attendant Issues Warning on In-Flight Refreshments and Potential Health Hazards
Travellers are being cautioned by a former flight attendant to be mindful of their beverage and food choices during air travel due to possible health implications. This advisory highlights the significance of in-flight food safety and suggests being selective about airplane food and drink orders to mitigate potential risks.
Drinks to Avoid: The Lowdown on Hot Beverages
According to Alex Quigley, a former flight attendant, ordering hot drinks such as coffee or tea on an airplane might pose a health risk. He points out that the water used for these beverages comes from tanks that may not be cleaned frequently and can remain stagnant for extended durations.
Concerns over Water Tank Hygiene
Speaking to Delish, Mr. Quigley stated, “There’s no telling how often or when the tank has been cleaned last,” emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding the cleanliness of water tanks on airplanes. He further added, “This is a beast for bacteria,” suggesting that these conditions are conducive to bacterial growth.
“I can be honest and say I never knew or saw anyone empty and refill or wash them out in between trips,” Quigley admitted, raising further concerns about hygiene protocols regarding these water tanks.
Rethinking Meal Choices: Meat Dishes and Food Poisoning Risks
Beyond beverages, Mr. Quigley advises passengers to carefully consider their food selections, particularly meat-based meals. He suggests that meat options present a heightened danger of food poisoning during flights.
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Potential for Improper Food Storage
Mr. Quigley explained, “You’re putting the trust of storing any meat in the flight attendant’s hands, and as we all know, delays happen, and mechanical issues happen.” He highlights the potential for cooked meals to be improperly stored due to flight disruptions, which could lead to foodborne illnesses.
“There’s a possibility the cooked meals aren’t actually being stored appropriately or have exceeded the storing time allotted for the meal,” he warned, indicating a lapse in food safety standards could occur.
Consideration for Fellow Passengers: Foods Affecting Cabin Air Quality
In addition to personal health risks, Mr. Quigley also brought up the importance of choosing foods that are courteous to fellow travellers, focusing on foods that can affect the air quality within the cabin.
Gas-Inducing Foods and Cabin Environment
Foods known to cause gas, such as:
- Dairy products
- Beans
- Fatty foods
- Green vegetables
- Sodas
…can contribute to diminished air quality inside the aircraft, according to Quigley.
He elaborated, “Air in the airplane is circulated, it’s never fresh. That means if someone passes gas, you’re breathing that in over and over again, so this is more so for common decency,” emphasizing the communal nature of the cabin environment and the impact of food choices on shared air quality.
Alcohol Consumption at Altitude: Heightened Effects
Alcohol was another item Mr. Quigley flagged as potentially problematic on flights. While excessive drinking is generally ill-advised, he noted the intensified effects of alcohol at high altitudes.
Dehydration and Increased Intoxication
Mr. Quigley explained, “When pressure is decreased in the airplane, the body can’t absorb oxygen as well,” suggesting that reduced oxygen absorption combined with alcohol consumption can lead to heightened intoxication.
“So you are doing yourself a favour by not drinking on the flight,” he concluded, advising against alcohol intake during flights for health reasons.
Recent Incidents Highlight In-Flight Food Safety Concerns
This warning comes in the wake of several reported incidents in recent months that underscore concerns about food hygiene on airplanes. These events serve as stark reminders of potential issues within in-flight catering.
Examples of Food Safety Lapses on Flights
- September Incident: An Air India passenger discovered a dead cockroach in their omelette on a flight from Delhi to New York.
- September Flight Diversion: A Scandinavian Airlines flight en route from Norway to Spain had to return to its origin airport when a mouse was found in a meal.
- October FDA Shutdown: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) temporarily closed Delta’s Detroit catering facility after an inspection revealed food safety violations in meal preparation areas.
Expert Opinions on Airline Catering Industry
Darin Detwiler, a food safety advisor expert at Northeastern University in Boston, commented on these incidents, stating to the Washington Post, “‘Airline passengers should be aware of food safety issues in the in-flight catering industry.'”
He further noted, “‘The confined nature of airplane travel makes foodborne illness outbreaks especially challenging to manage,'” highlighting the unique challenges presented by food safety incidents within the closed environment of an airplane.