Delta Air Lines has returned to normal food operations for international flights after an incident earlier this week forced a diversion and prompted a change in food service. The incident occurred on a flight from Detroit to Amsterdam, which had to divert to New York after crew members discovered that some of the meals served to economy passengers were spoiled.

Shortly after the diversion, photos of allegedly moldy food from the flight circulated on CBS, although Delta has not confirmed these pictures and is currently investigating what went wrong with the food. The airline has expressed its apologies to the affected passengers and assured them that this incident does not reflect the usual standard of service provided by Delta.

According to Anthony Black, a Delta spokesperson, the flight was about one-third of the way through when the issue was discovered. It remains unclear how many passengers had consumed the spoiled meals. As a precautionary measure, medical experts consulted by the flight crew recommended landing in New York City. Emergency medical workers met the flight upon its arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport to provide medical attention to the passengers. Fortunately, no one required hospitalization, and the flight crew confirmed that they did not consume any of the affected food.

Delta has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the spoilage and has engaged its suppliers to isolate the product in question. While a catering company responsible for the meals on the flight has not been named, Delta stated that multiple catering components are currently under review.

During the review process, Delta temporarily modified its food service on approximately 75 international flights, offering pasta as an alternative to the regular meals. Hot meals served on airplanes are typically prepared in advance by outside vendors, then frozen or kept cold before being reheated onboard.

The incident occurred during the busy Fourth of July travel week, where Delta had millions of passengers expecting air travel. The airline's CEO, Ed Bastian, affirmed that their teams were prepared for the holiday period.

Experts in health and food safety mentioned that while food poisoning can occur on airplanes, it is not a common issue. Airplane food, similar to food on the ground, can become contaminated through various means, such as exposure to dirty water or improper handling and cooking. However, the risk of consumption of mold-contaminated food causing significant issues for individuals with healthy immune systems is relatively low, according to Mark Gendreau, a physician and chief medical officer.

Those with compromised immune systems may face higher risks of major fungal infections from ingesting mold. It is advised to inspect meals for signs of mold, such as white or black spots, unusual texture, or unpleasant smells. In case of mold contamination, experts recommend discarding the entire meal rather than attempting to remove the affected portion, as it can be difficult to determine the extent of mold and bacterial contamination.

Delta has emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety and satisfaction of its passengers. As it resumes normal food service on international flights, the airline will continue to prioritize strict food safety standards to avoid any such incidents in the future.