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