American Airlines flights are going without food after listeria found at catering kitchen (AAL)

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November 1, 2017 9:51 PM

American Airlines has suspended catering from Gate Gourmet's kitchen in Los Angeles after listeria was discovered.

American Airlines has suspended catering from the Gate Gourmet facility in Los Angeles.
Listeria was discovered in areas of the facility such as floors and drains.
Some American Airlines flights out of LA were forced to do without catering on Wednesday.

American Airlines has suspended food service on some of its flights out of the Los Angeles after listeria was discovered at a catering kitchen used by the company.

The listeria was discovered several weeks ago at a facility operated by Gate Gourmet near Los Angeles International Airport.

“One of our customers notified us yesterday of their decision to temporarily suspend the catering services we provide at LAX. Food and passenger safety are our highest priorities. As part of routine inspections, we identified traces of listeria in non-food contact areas, primarily floor drains, at our LAX unit. Immediately and in accordance with our protocols, all floor drains and surrounding areas were immediately and aggressively treated. Independent food safety agencies have confirmed that our unit adheres to food safety regulations and we are not aware of any instance where passengers are put at risk. We reaffirm our commitment to food safety and the safety of the traveling public. Our unit is open for business and we continue to cater our other customers."

According to American, the airlines use a total of three catering companies and is working on securing alternative food service for its flights out of the LA. Some flights were able to secure snacks while others were made to do without food service at all.

A person at the airline told Business Insider that some of the company's flagship Los Angeles-New York flights were reduced to only drink service on Wednesday.

The airline expects the disruption to its LA catering operation to be corrected within a week to 10 days. Until then, passengers who are affected by the catering issues (i.e. business class passengers who don't get business class food) will receive vouchers from American Airlines.

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