As if air travel wasn’t dicey enough these days, here’s a whole new argument for taking the train. You need to think twice before you grab a bite before your flight or you could be inviting some unwanted consequences.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention figures estimates 76 million cases of food-borne illnesses annually with most cases untraceable to origin of contamination. With airport food, its even more difficult to track given the nature of airports and passengers grab-and-go routines.
In an investigative article by USA Today, some startling information came to light on airport food. Be careful where and what you eat when traveling. Out of 800 restaurants at 10 airports, there were dangerous food conditions. Here are some highlights:
- Detroit Metro Airport-chicken salad stored at 60 degrees in a cooler at Fuddruckers near Gate C25.
- JFK International Airport-11 citations for mice in restaurants.
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport-of the 57 restaurants, 42 percent had at least one critical violation.
Protect yourself. Since restaurant inspections are conducted by local health departments, here’s the deal—Find out what county the airport is located in, plug in ‘restaurant inspection data,’ name of the airport or the airport’s zip code. Plug in the name of the restaurant if you have it. No one said this would be easy.
Here’s another way to avert disaster. Before you launch yourself out the front door to catch that plane, pack your pockets full of PB&J sandwiches, an apple or banana. At least, you won’t have any unpleasant surprises in the air as a result of what you ate.
Update: Good article from Cooking Light on Healthy Airport Eats.
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Ugh ugh ugh! I did a post on airport food as well, though mine was more health-based:
http://www.wasabimon.com/archive/avoiding-airport-and-airline-food/
Or travel Turkish Airlines where the food is so good you'll be talking about it for months afterwards!
Leigh-
Thanks for the comment. Agree. While in NYC to visit daughter & her boyfriend for Thanksgiving, went to a Turkish restaurant. GREAT food, the best I had all 10 days.
judy
Judy,
I see we have much in common. I wrote a post recently on airline food you may want to check out:
http://lettuceeatkale.wordpress.com/2009/10/15/fear-of-flying-the-foods-a-factor/
I'm usually too anxious to eat, as noted, but you're spot on in suggesting folks pack their own food — for their health & safety.
Keep on posting such articles. I like to read blogs like that. By the way add more pics
I want to say that I am surprised but honestly I'm not. My father is always on the road and always traveling. I cannot tell you how many times he as gotten sick from airport food. The funny part about all this is the food is expensive. It's almost like paying to get sick.
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We should get in touch. Are you an active user on top social networking sites like Digg, Facebook, or Stumble Upon? If so, what is your username so we can get in touch to share ideas.
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Thanks for your comment, Greta. I do appreciate it. Happy Day to you!
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Great site, though I would love to see some more media! – Great post anyway, Cheers!
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