Delta stops hot meals on some flights citing caterer food safety issue

Delta Airlines had to suspend hot meal service on more than 200 flights departing from its hub at Detroit Wayne County Metropolitan Airport in recent days due to a “food safety issue.”

Delta said operations at the facility have been shut down and hot meals will be handled by other kitchens.

“During a recent inspection at a DTW kitchen, Delta’s catering partner was made aware of a food safety issue within the facility,” Delta said in a statement Sunday. “Delta and its catering partner immediately stopped hot food production and subsequently suspended all facility activity. Hot food and other onboard supplies will be managed from other facilities.”

A message to a flight crew on Friday said first-class meals could not be loaded due to an “unforeseen supply chain issue” and that the flight would be stocked with additional snacks.

The Food and Drug Administration did not immediately respond to requests for comment Sunday.

The carrier said no employees or customers had been sick and that it had given affected customers travel vouchers or frequent flyer miles as compensation.

Airlines serve thousands of meals to passengers per day, usually through third-party catering kitchens. Do & Co., which works with Delta, did not immediately comment.

In July, a Delta Detroit-Amsterdam flight was diverted to New York due to a report of spoiled chicken, forcing the carrier to limit meals to pasta for several days on some flights.