Delta’s Food Safety Scare: A Carbo-Loading Menu Change

Introduction

In a shocking turn of events, a Delta flight carrying spoiled meals was diverted to New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, leaving over 70 passengers feeling unwell. This incident led to a change in Delta’s menu, offering pasta to thousands of international travelers for two days. In this article, we’ll explore the incident, its aftermath, and the measures taken by Delta to ensure food safety.

The Incident

Delta flight 136 was headed to Amsterdam when it was diverted early Wednesday morning due to concerns about spoiled food. According to reports, the flight took off from Detroit and was in the air for several hours before passengers began to feel unwell. A source told CBS Detroit that passengers stopped eating the chicken after feeling it was "really sour," while others reported finding black mold on some of the meals.

Investigation and Apology

Delta’s Food Safety team launched an investigation into the incident, engaging with suppliers to isolate the product and identify the cause. The airline apologized to customers for the inconvenience and delay in their travels. "This is not the service Delta is known for, and we sincerely apologize to our customers for the inconvenience and delay in their travels," a spokesperson told Fortune.

Carbo-Loading Menu Change

As a result of the incident, Delta temporarily changed its menu to offer pasta to thousands of international travelers for two days. The airline spokesperson told CNBC that about 75 international flights were affected, and the change was necessary to ensure food safety. The spokesperson also stated that the airline has taken immediate corrective actions to avoid a similar incident in the future.

The Cause of the Spoiled Food

The exact cause of the spoiled food is still unclear. Ash Dhokte, who leads onboarding service at Delta, wrote to staff that the company is looking into the incident and has implemented immediate corrective actions to avoid recurrence.

A Busy Travel Season

This incident occurred during a busy travel season, with almost 71 million people projected to travel during the July 4 holiday week, according to AAA. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) also estimated that more than 3 million people will be checked for travel on Sunday in airports nationwide, marking a record high.

Airlines Face Challenges

Airlines are facing challenges in recent times, including staffing shortages and increased pressure during holidays. The FAA temporarily grounded certain Boeing 737 Max 9 planes earlier this year after a door plug detached mid-flight on an Alaska Air plane. Separately, the Justice Department set a deadline for Boeing to plead guilty to criminal fraud in light of plane crashes that killed 336 people in 2018 and 2019.

Conclusion

The incident highlights the importance of food safety in the airline industry. Delta’s prompt investigation and apology demonstrate the airline’s commitment to ensuring customer satisfaction and safety. While the exact cause of the spoiled food remains unclear, the airline has taken immediate corrective actions to avoid a similar incident in the future.

FAQs

Q: How many passengers were affected by the spoiled food?
A: Over 70 passengers were affected by the spoiled food.

Q: What was the cause of the spoiled food?
A: The exact cause of the spoiled food is still unclear.

Q: How did Delta respond to the incident?
A: Delta launched an investigation into the incident, engaged with suppliers to isolate the product, and apologized to customers for the inconvenience and delay in their travels.

Q: What was the temporary menu change?
A: Delta temporarily changed its menu to offer pasta to thousands of international travelers for two days.

Q: Is the airline facing challenges during the busy travel season?
A: Yes, airlines are facing challenges during the busy travel season, including staffing shortages and increased pressure during holidays.

Author: fortune.com

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