FDA 483 - Southwest Airlines Co. - April 30, 2025

During an inspection conducted by the Food and Drug Administration from April 28-30, 2025, Southwest Airlines Co., operating an Aircraft Watering Point, Service Area, and Commissary in Windsor Locks, CT, received an FDA Form 483 for several concerning observations related to sanitation and equipment maintenance. The primary issues identified included inadequate cleaning and sanitization practices. Specifically, an ice scoop used for dispensing was only washed, without a sanitization step, and in a handwashing-only sink. Furthermore, there was no FDA-approved sanitizer for food-contact surfaces available, and a product used for disinfecting potable water hoses was not applied according to its label instructions nor approved for food contact. The inspection also highlighted a failure to maintain a clean and sanitary facility. Observations included leaking garbage bags and pooling fluids behind an ice machine, a disconnected condensate drain line causing leaks on the floor in the ice manufacturing area, and the absence of paper towels at handwashing sinks in both the ice manufacturing and waste disposal areas. These observations indicate that food may have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions, potentially violating Section 704(b) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Southwest Airlines Co. is now required to address these deficiencies by implementing effective corrective actions to ensure compliance with federal sanitation and maintenance standards for facilities handling food and potable water for interstate conveyances.