LSG is owned by German airline Lufthansa and has 43 airline catering kitchen around the United States, including one at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. The company provides in-flight meals to 300 airlines worldwide including Delta, American, US Airways, Icelandair and United at MSP. Continental is only major U.S. to still provide meals to all passengers on select meal-time flights. LSG is not contracted to provide meals to Continental's passengers. LSG, in addition to providing first and business class meals, prepares meals that are sold in-flight by cabin attendants.The general manager and executive chef in Denver were fired and LSG has taken the findings very seriously. The FDA letter to LSG noted that inspectors found live and dead roaches "too numerous to count" in several kitchen locations. They also reported that at least 40 live insects were found in the silverware station. To make matters even worse, the FDA inspectors found kitchen staff handling food with their bare hands and dirty gloves.
LSG's spokesperson said they haven't received any reports of ill airline passengers but are taking very aggressive action to ensure that they pass the follow-up FDA inspection this coming week.
In recent months there have been other reports of dirty kitchen facilities at airline terminals as well. The best suggestions? Eat at home before you head to the airport, bring food with you that you know comes from a clean environment or eat after you arrive at your destination. Considering that airport food is over-priced and not very good, avoidance may just be the best course to follow.
Be prepared for the next low budget cinematic block buster, "Roaches On The Plane" ~ Jim
