Maggots and cockroaches seen at airline catering facility, staff say

Workers at LAX Catering Plant Report Pest Infestation and Unsafe Conditions

Healfromzero.com – Staff members at a major airline food preparation center adjacent to Los Angeles International Airport have submitted a formal safety grievance detailing their exposure to various pests and unsanitary environments. The allegations, which include sightings of maggots, cockroaches, and mold, come from employees at the Flying Food Group facility in Inglewood. This award-winning operation manages nineteen locations throughout the nation and produces approximately 120 million meals each year for over seventy-five different carriers.

The current complaint represents the most recent chapter in a growing list of concerns raised against the Inglewood location. According to the filing, a worker was instructed in late June 2026 to open airline dish carts that had remained sealed inside the building for an extended duration. Upon inspection, she found food items that appeared to be rotting and covered with mold, flies, and maggots.

The employee reportedly suggested that the contaminated dishes be discarded. Instead, her supervisor directed her to clean them so they could be reused on an upcoming flight. The complaint notes that no protective equipment, such as a mask or respirator, was provided to shield her from the unpleasant materials she was handling.

Widespread Pest Sightings and Facility Issues

Beyond the single incident with the dish carts, the grievance describes a broader pattern of problems within the facility. Workers have allegedly observed cockroaches and other pests in multiple areas, including food preparation zones and spaces near airline food carts. Additional complaints mention that bathrooms and handwashing stations often run low on soap and paper towels, requiring staff to leave their workstations to find supplies before resuming their duties.

Maria Hernandez, who serves as press secretary for UNITE HERE Local 11, the hospitality union that filed the complaint on behalf of the workers, expressed strong disappointment. She told reporters that employees are deeply frustrated by the situation. The union has gathered photographs, video footage, and written statements from workers to present to Cal/OSHA, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, requesting a formal investigation.

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.

Regulatory Scrutiny and Past Violations

The complaint highlights dangerously elevated temperatures in the facility’s dish room, where utensils and trays are sanitized. It also points to a lengthy history of alleged safety infractions at Flying Food Group’s LAX operations. In May 2026, Cal/OSHA issued six citations to the company following a January 2026 fire incident. During that emergency, two employees were reportedly trapped inside a cold storage room that had been chained shut from the outside.

Hernandez emphasized that workers have addressed the Board of Airport Commissioners on at least fifty separate occasions regarding labor abuses, yet she claims airport leadership has failed to implement meaningful changes. When approached for comment, Los Angeles World Airports, the entity responsible for overseeing LAX, stated that because the matter is currently under review by Cal/OSHA, they are not positioned to provide additional remarks.

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 Implications for Airport Operations

The allegations carry significant weight given the critical role that Flying Food Group plays in the aviation industry. As a provider for major international carriers, any lapse in food safety standards could affect thousands of passengers daily. The facility operates under a special license granted by the City of Los Angeles, which sets specific requirements for hygiene and operational standards.

In February 2026, the office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a public statement addressing the situation. The mayor’s office indicated that she takes the allegations seriously and is actively engaging with both UNITE HERE Local 11 and Los Angeles World Airports to ensure the issues are properly investigated and resolved. The outcome of the Cal/OSHA investigation could lead to further citations, mandatory corrective actions, or even temporary suspension of operations if serious violations are confirmed.

For the workers involved, the complaint represents more than just a desire for cleaner facilities. It is a call for accountability from both their employer and the regulatory bodies responsible for enforcing safety standards in one of the busiest airports in the world. As the investigation proceeds, all eyes will be on whether the promised review results in tangible improvements for the employees who prepare meals for millions of travelers each year.