Dozens of moldy dishes, live maggots, and cockroaches have been reported at an Inglewood facility that prepares in-flight meals for major airlines operating out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). A complaint filed with the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) by workers, represented by Unite Here Local 11, alleges that the catering company, Flying Food Group, has exposed its employees to severe health hazards and unsanitary conditions.
The complaint, filed on August 5, details an incident where a worker was instructed to clean a cart of dishes left unattended for an extended period. The cart reportedly contained numerous dishes covered in decomposing food, emitting a strong odor, and infested with live maggots and flies. Despite the worker's suggestion to discard the contaminated items, a supervisor allegedly insisted they were needed for an upcoming flight. The employee reported experiencing stomach pain, headache, and respiratory discomfort after handling the moldy dishes, with the complaint further alleging the company failed to provide protective equipment.
Flying Food Group has vehemently denied the allegations, characterizing the union's narrative as "false and misleading" and stating that the submitted photographs do not accurately represent the facility's conditions. The company asserts that the images were "staged, manipulated, taken out of context, or otherwise presented in a manner that distorts their meaning." In a statement, Flying Food Group affirmed its commitment to food safety and sanitation standards and pledged full cooperation with any regulatory review.
This incident is the latest in a series of labor and safety disputes between Unite Here Local 11 and Flying Food Group, which has been the subject of numerous complaints regarding wage issues and health concerns at the Inglewood facility. Past allegations include accusations of workers being intimidated regarding union activities, blocked emergency exits, and sexual harassment and retaliation against female employees. The company has faced citations and settlements related to these issues, including an $11,000 citation in 2023 for obstructed exits and a $50,000 settlement in 2024 after admitting to violations of federal labor law concerning employee intimidation and unlawful termination.
The Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the governing body for LAX, has acknowledged the allegations and stated that Cal/OSHA is responsible for adjudicating health and safety violations. LAWA has reminded Flying Food Group of its obligations under the airport's contractor responsibility program, which requires compliance with wage, safety, and labor laws. The company's operating licenses, which expired at the end of June, were extended by LAWA for a shorter-than-usual six-month period, although the company's status was not explicitly marked as at risk in the public notice.
