Cabin crew veteran warns passengers to avoid unsealed airline meals and salads

December 16, 2025 at 01:56 PM•2 min read

Former cabin crew advises passengers to strictly avoid unsealed plane food, like salads, due to hygiene risks during catering.

Key Points

1Former flight attendant Charlotte Crocker recommends avoiding all plane food not served in a sealed packet due to potential contamination risks during catering.
2Specific items to avoid include unsealed fruit and salad, which may not be properly washed or handled safely during busy galley service.
3Insider advice also suggests avoiding alcohol, fizzy drinks, and high-salt/fat meals to prevent dehydration and bloating during the flight.
4Separate warnings have been issued concerning the stagnant water tanks used by airlines for preparing hot beverages like coffee and tea.

Former flight attendant Charlotte Crocker, who logged 12 years of service with carriers including Thomas Cook and Astraeus, has issued a strong warning to air travelers regarding in-flight meal consumption. Crocker advises passengers to strictly avoid any food items not served in a sealed packet, specifically citing fresh items like fruit and salad. This caution stems from the high-pressure environment of the galley during catering, where lids may be dropped and fresh produce might not be adequately washed, potentially increasing the risk of contamination.

Crocker noted that while food poisoning is unlikely, exercising common sense is crucial for minimizing discomfort. Beyond unsealed food, she also personally avoids alcohol and fizzy drinks due to their dehydrating and bloating effects at altitude. She further highlighted the general poor quality of standard crew and passenger meals, which often contain excessive amounts of fat and salt, leading to physical discomfort during flights.

This advice aligns with previous warnings from other industry insiders. Another former attendant, Alex Quigley, previously cautioned travelers about the water used for hot beverages, explaining that it is often sourced from tanks that can sit stagnant and are not cleaned regularly, posing additional health risks. Despite these concerns, passenger surveys indicate significant variation in quality, with Emirates ranking highly for in-flight meals and snacks, while budget carrier Ryanair typically scores lowest.