Maggots and cockroaches seen at airline catering facility, staff say

Workers at LAX Catering Hub Report Pest Infestations and Unsafe Conditions

Goldlaner.com – Employees at a major airline catering operation adjacent to Los Angeles International Airport have formally lodged a workplace safety complaint, citing exposure to pests and unsanitary conditions during meal preparation. The allegations center on Flying Food Group’s Inglewood facility, where staff members describe encountering decomposing food covered in mold, maggots, and flies, alongside cockroaches and other vermin in critical food preparation zones.

Incident Sparks Formal Complaint

The complaint, filed in late June 2026, centers on a specific incident involving airline dish carts that had remained sealed inside the facility for an extended duration. According to the filing, an employee received instructions to open these carts and discovered food items in advanced stages of decomposition. The worker observed what appeared to be mold, maggots, and flies covering the contents.

When the employee recommended discarding the contaminated dishes, her supervisor allegedly directed her to clean and reuse them for an upcoming flight. The complaint further notes that no protective equipment, such as a mask or respirator, was provided to shield workers from the unpleasant materials they were handling.

We are aware of the allegations that have been made regarding conditions at our facility. We are conducting a thorough review of the allegations and are cooperating with the appropriate regulatory authorities.

Broader Facility Concerns

Beyond the immediate incident, the complaint outlines systemic issues throughout the facility. Workers have reportedly observed cockroaches and other pests in food preparation areas and near airline food carts. Additional allegations point to inadequate bathroom and handwashing station supplies, with employees frequently finding insufficient soap or paper towels, forcing them to leave their workstations to find alternatives before resuming food preparation duties.

The facility’s dish room has also been cited for dangerously elevated temperatures during the sanitization process. These conditions are particularly concerning given that the Inglewood location holds a special license from the City of Los Angeles to operate at LAX and serves several of the world’s largest carriers.

Union Advocacy and Regulatory Action

UNITE HERE Local 11, the hospitality worker labor union representing many of the facility’s employees, formally raised the safety complaint. Maria Hernandez, the union’s press secretary, expressed strong frustration on behalf of the workforce.

Workers are incredibly frustrated. They find it shocking that these kinds of conditions have occurred at a facility that has a special license from the City of LA to operate at LAX and supplies some of the world’s biggest airlines.

The union has compiled substantial evidence for regulatory review, including photographs, video documentation, and detailed worker testimony. This evidence package has been submitted to Cal/OSHA, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, with the union actively urging state inspectors to conduct a comprehensive investigation.

History of Safety Violations

The complaint highlights a lengthy record of alleged safety violations at Flying Food Group’s LAX operations. Most recently, in May 2026, Cal/OSHA issued the company six citations following an incident during a January 2026 fire. During that emergency, two workers were reportedly discovered locked inside a cold storage room that had been chained shut from the outside.

Hernandez emphasized that workers have repeatedly brought attention to labor concerns at the facility.

Flying Food Group workers have spoken at the Board of Airport Commissioners about labor abuses on no fewer than 50 occasions, and yet the airport leadership has not taken meaningful action.

Official Responses and Next Steps

Los Angeles World Airports, which oversees LAX operations, declined to comment directly while the matter remains before Cal/OSHA. However, the office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement in February 2026 expressing serious concern about the allegations.

Mayor Bass takes the allegations about this airport contractor seriously and is engaged with UNITE HERE Local 11 and Los Angeles World Airports to make sure they are appropriately investigated and addressed.

Flying Food Group, an award-winning company with 19 catering facilities across the United States, prepares approximately 120 million meals annually for more than 75 airlines. The company has confirmed it is conducting a thorough review of the allegations and cooperating with relevant regulatory authorities.

The outcome of the Cal/OSHA investigation could have significant implications for the facility’s operations and potentially for airline passengers who rely on meals prepared at this major West Coast hub. Industry experts note that airline catering facilities must maintain strict hygiene standards to prevent foodborne illness and ensure passenger safety during flights.