ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, August 17, 1996 TAG: 9608190044
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
SOURCE: RANDOLPH E. SCHMID ASSOCIATED PRESS
GREEN, SLIMY MOLD in an ice machine is the most graphic problem cited. Most had to do with meals being stored at wrong temperatures.
Federal inspectors checking airline food report finding meals stored at improper temperatures, green slime in an ice machine and dirty coolers and utensils.
The Food and Drug Administration cited problems at 11 airlines following a series of inspections last year and this.
Agency spokesman Arthur Whitmore characterized the findings as ``routine,'' commenting that many warnings are sent out every year to businesses inspected by the agency.
The airlines have been cooperative in correcting the problems, he said Friday.
USAir, United and Continental drew warnings for failing to keep food either colder than 45 degrees or hotter than 140 degrees, temperatures that prevent bacterial growth.
An FDA inspector found a Continental flight from New York's LaGuardia Airport to Houston stored meat and eggs between 62 degrees and 64 degrees. Salads and yogurt were stored between 52 degrees and 55 degrees on the same flight.
Chicken meals were stored between 57 degrees and 65 degrees on a USAir flight to Ohio from LaGuardia, the FDA reported.
And a United flight from Westchester, N.Y., to Chicago had turkey and salami sandwiches stored between 59 degrees and 63 degrees.
Among other FDA findings:
* Green, slimy mold was found inside an ice machine at Aloha's Honolulu commissary.
* Inspectors found rust in an ice machine and dirty coolers used for transport of ice at the Comair facility in Cincinnati.
* Dirt, dust and litter were found on the storage shelves of Delta's cabin service vans in Cincinnati.
* An inspection of Southwest Airlines' food processing facility in Oakland, Calif., cited a lack of hand-washing sinks, lack of sanitizing solution, standing liquid leaking from a trash compactor and open doors providing access for rodents.
* Aloha, Southwest, Delta, USAir, America West, United, Northwest, American and Continental all had drinking water pumps without the required caps for keeping out dirt or other contaminants.
LENGTH: Medium: 53 linesby CNB