Tainted Chicken Causes Chaos on Delta Flight to Amsterdam
A routine flight from Detroit to Amsterdam took an unexpected turn when passengers on Delta flight 136 were served spoiled chicken, leading to a mid-flight diversion and medical checks for some travelers. The incident has raised concerns about food safety and the airline's handling of the situation.Passengers Recount Unappetizing In-Flight Meal
Spoiled Chicken Prompts Unscheduled Landing
The flight, which took off from Detroit Metro Airport late Tuesday night, was headed for Amsterdam when the pilot made an announcement a few hours into the journey. Passengers were informed that the plane would be diverted to New York's John F. Kennedy Airport due to concerns about contaminated food served on board.Jason Mijat, a passenger from Dearborn Heights, Michigan, was one of the 277 people on the flight. Mijat, who was traveling to Croatia via Amsterdam, had been served the problematic chicken dish. "I just feel like a company like Delta should know better with food safety, especially in regards to chicken," he said.Shahrzad Javid, a passenger from Louisville, Kentucky, echoed Mijat's sentiments. "It didn't taste right. It didn't taste good. It's not like a bad seasoning — it almost taste kind of sour," Javid said.Passengers and Crew Undergo Medical Checks
After the plane landed in New York, some passengers and crew members were examined by medical personnel. Fortunately, no one required hospitalization, and the "general consensus across the board" was that the worst outcome was "just a little stomach pain," according to Mijat.Disrupted Travel Plans and Apologies from Delta
The unscheduled diversion caused significant disruptions to the passengers' travel plans. Mijat, for instance, found himself "a whole day behind" and had to "book [his] own transportation and figure everything out once [he] get[s] to Europe."Delta Airlines acknowledged the incident in a statement, expressing regret for the "inconvenience and delay in their travels." The airline's Food Safety team has launched an investigation into the matter, vowing to "immediately isolate the product" and determine the cause of the spoiled food.Concerns Raised About Food Safety and Airline Accountability
The incident has raised concerns about food safety and the airline's responsibility in ensuring the quality of in-flight meals. Passengers like Mijat and Javid have expressed disappointment in Delta's handling of the situation, questioning the airline's commitment to food safety.The diversion and subsequent medical checks have also highlighted the potential health risks associated with consuming spoiled food on flights. While no serious medical issues were reported in this case, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent food safety protocols in the aviation industry.As Delta continues its investigation, the airline will likely face scrutiny from passengers and industry regulators alike. The outcome of this incident may have far-reaching implications for the airline's reputation and the broader issue of food safety in the skies.
