LAX Caterer Flying Food Group Faces Safety Complaint Over Mold, Insects
Workers at a major airline catering facility serving multiple carriers at Los Angeles International Airport have filed a detailed complaint alleging unsanitary conditions including moldy dishes and pest infestations.
A California workplace safety complaint has raised concerns about conditions at Flying Food Group's Los Angeles-area catering operations, which supply meal service to more than a dozen international airlines operating from LAX.
The 16-page complaint filed with CalOSHA by union UNITE HERE Local 11 centers on an incident reportedly occurring in late June, when a dish-room worker allegedly discovered airline service dishes covered in decomposed food, mold, and what appeared to be live insects. According to the filing, when the employee requested permission to discard the items, a supervisor reportedly denied the request and directed her to wash the dishes for use on an upcoming flight. The worker later reported experiencing stomach pain and headaches following the incident, the complaint states.
The union submission includes photographs, video evidence, and worker accounts documenting alleged pest activity near food preparation areas and airline carts, deteriorated facility conditions including what workers described as black growth on ceiling surfaces, and non-functional equipment. Multiple employees reportedly observed insects in areas where ingredients were stored and near dishwashing stations over several months. The complaint also cites allegedly inadequate restroom facilities and temperature control issues in both refrigerated trucks and work areas.
Flying Food Group operates the facilities in question at two Inglewood-area locations and describes itself as maintaining an "uncompromising food safety culture" across more than 19 catering operations. At LAX, the company serves a client roster including Lufthansa, Air France, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, Qantas, and Virgin Atlantic, among others. The caterer previously handled American Airlines service during a 2017 disruption involving another Los Angeles-area provider.
No contaminated passenger meals have been confirmed, and no illnesses among travelers have been linked to the facilities described in the complaint. The union has requested an expedited on-site inspection by state workplace safety authorities. Flying Food Group has not publicly responded to the specific allegations detailed in the filing.