Airline Catering and In-Flight Food Safety Checklist
This airline catering and in-flight food safety checklist ensures compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 117 (Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis for Human Food), IATA Cabin Operations Safety Best Practices Guide (COSBPG) catering standards, FAA AC 120-85 (Air Carrier Cabin Interiors), and airline catering service manuals. Designed for airline catering supervisors and in-flight service managers.
- Industry: Aviation
- Frequency: Per Event
- Estimated Time: 20-30 minutes
- Role: Catering Supervisor / In-Flight Service Manager
- Total Items: 30
- Compliance: FDA 21 CFR Part 117 Food Safety Modernization Act, IATA Cabin Operations Safety Best Practices Guide (COSBPG), FAA AC 120-85 Air Carrier Cabin Interiors, IATA Airport Handling Manual AHM 840 Catering, CDC Aviation Travel Health Food Safety Guidelines
Catering Uplift
Catering loading safety.
- Catering truck positioned safely with brakes and chocks set?
- Meal count verified against catering order?
- Hot items at correct serving temperature (above 63C/145F)?
- Cold items at correct chilled temperature (below 5C/41F)?
- Catering seal numbers recorded and seals intact?
Food Safety and Hygiene
Food handling and hygiene standards.
- All meal items within use-by/best-before dates?
- Allergen information labeled on all meals?
- Special meals (VGML, KSML, DBML, etc.) correctly identified?
- Galley surfaces and cart interiors clean before loading?
- Catering staff wearing gloves and following hygiene procedures?
Galley Loading and Securing
Galley cart loading and stowage.
- All galley carts locked into galley compartments?
- Bar carts sealed with tax seals for international flights?
- Dry ice quantity within FAA safety limits (if used)?
- Catering items not loaded in passenger overhead bins?
- Final catering count signed off by lead flight attendant?
In-Flight Service Safety
Service safety during flight.
- In-flight service paused during turbulence events?
- Hot beverage service conducted with care to prevent passenger burns?
- Galley secured before landing (all items stowed and locked)?
- Carts locked into galleys before descent?
- Galley ovens turned off before landing?
Waste Management
International catering waste compliance.
- International catering waste disposed per USDA/APHIS regulations?
- All waste placed in sealed containers for off-loading?
- Unserved meals remain sealed per airline policy?
- Recycling separated per airline sustainability program?
- Bonded galley items inventoried on international arrivals?
Catering Records
Catering documentation.
- Catering order and uplift quantities recorded?
- Temperature log maintained by catering provider?
- Any passenger food complaints documented and reported?
- Any suspected food-borne illness reported to airline medical?
- Catering Notes
Related Aviation Checklists
- Airline Cabin Safety and Emergency Equipment Checklist
- Airline Cabin Safety and Emergency Equipment Checklist
- ETOPS Extended Operations Compliance Checklist
- Crew Resource Management (CRM) Training Assessment Checklist
- Helicopter Hoist and External Load Operations Checklist
- Airline Flight Operations Control and Dispatch Compliance Checklist
Related Cabin Safety Checklists
Why Use This Airline Catering and In-Flight Food Safety Checklist?
This airline catering and in-flight food safety checklist helps aviation teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for catering supervisor / in-flight service manager professionals, this checklist covers 30 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: per event.
Ensures compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 117 Food Safety Modernization Act, IATA Cabin Operations Safety Best Practices Guide (COSBPG), FAA AC 120-85 Air Carrier Cabin Interiors, IATA Airport Handling Manual AHM 840 Catering, CDC Aviation Travel Health Food Safety Guidelines. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Airline Catering and In-Flight Food Safety Checklist cover?
This checklist covers 30 inspection items across 6 sections: Catering Uplift, Food Safety and Hygiene, Galley Loading and Securing, In-Flight Service Safety, Waste Management, Catering Records. It is designed for aviation operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed per event. Each completion takes approximately 20-30 minutes.
Who should use this Airline Catering and In-Flight Food Safety Checklist?
This checklist is designed for Catering Supervisor / In-Flight Service Manager professionals in the aviation industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.