TNFNew Delhi/ TNF
In an alarming incident, a passenger traveling on an Air India flight from Delhi to New York discovered a cockroach in her breakfast on September 17. The passenger, Suyesha Sawant, was on board with her 2-year-old son when they encountered this distressing situation. Suyesha took to Instagram to share her experience, which quickly garnered attention and raised concerns about the airline’s food safety standards.
The Incident
Suyesha recounted how she and her young son were served breakfast during the long-haul flight. The meal included an omelette, which they started eating without suspecting anything unusual. However, while still eating, Suyesha noticed a cockroach in the food. Shocked and disgusted, she immediately stopped eating and realized that something was terribly wrong. Shortly after, both she and her son began experiencing symptoms of food poisoning, including stomach pain and discomfort.
She described her panic as she realized that the presence of a cockroach in the food might have caused the foodborne illness that affected her and her child. The experience left her deeply upset and concerned, not just about this particular flight but about Air India’s overall food hygiene standards.
A History of Issues
This isn’t the first time Air India’s food service has come under scrutiny. Earlier this year, in June, another disturbing incident occurred when a passenger on an international Air India flight from Bengaluru to San Francisco found a blade in his meal. The passenger, identified as Mathuresh Paul, shared his experience on social media, stating that he found a metal piece resembling a blade in his roasted sweet potato and fig salad. He expressed his shock and relief that he discovered the blade before swallowing it, wondering aloud what might have happened if it had been served to a child.
These repeated incidents have raised serious concerns about the quality and safety of the food served on Air India flights. Passengers have expressed their dissatisfaction with the airline’s catering service, which is responsible for preparing and delivering meals on board.
Air India’s Response
Following Suyesha’s post, Air India responded with an apology, expressing regret for the unfortunate incident. The airline management assured that they are taking the matter seriously and have initiated an investigation into the catering service responsible for preparing the meal. Air India also stated that they are deeply concerned about the passenger’s experience and will be reviewing their food safety protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.
The airline pledged to hold discussions with the catering company to ensure that food hygiene and safety are maintained at the highest standards. They also reassured passengers that their feedback is valued and that the airline will take every necessary step to improve.
Passenger’s Reaction
Despite the apology, Suyesha has stated that she no longer feels comfortable flying with Air India. She mentioned that her family had frequently traveled with the airline, despite previous minor inconveniences. However, the discovery of a cockroach in the meal was the tipping point for her, and she now feels unsafe choosing Air India for future travel.
She expressed her fears, especially after the food poisoning incident involving her and her young son, stating that the airline’s food hygiene practices need to be seriously re-evaluated to protect passengers from similar risks.
Conclusion
The incident has drawn attention to the importance of maintaining stringent food safety measures on flights, particularly in long-haul journeys where passengers rely on in-flight meals. Air India’s apology and promise of an investigation may provide some reassurance, but for many passengers like Suyesha, the fear of facing such an experience again has shaken their trust in the airline.
