Virgin stops serving food after bacteria scare
Virgin Australia has temporarily stopped serving food from its Los Angeles-based caterer after deadly listeria was found in the kitchen.
Listeria is bacteria that is associated with miscarriages and stillbirths.
As well as Virgin, Delta and America Airlines also suspended the use of food from Gate Gourmet at Los Angeles International Airport.
The bacteria was found in a non-food preparation area of the caterer’s kitchen at the airport.
Virgin Australia passengers were given food vouchers before boarding their flights at LAX as the airline found alternate catering arrangements.
Gate Gourmet said the listeria was discovered during a routine inspection but no cases of listeriosis had previously been reported.
Delta said it found a different caterer to provide hot food but still got cheese, fruit and wraps that were prepared in another part of the Gate Gourmet facility, reported Associated Press.
Gate Gourmet spokeswoman Catherine Nugent said the listeria was not found on food-contact surfaces.
She said the business launched a cleaning program and the LAX kitchen met all local and US food-safety regulations.
Listeria can cause serious complications for pregnant woman including miscarriages and stillbirths.