Singapore Airlines removes all China-made items from its in-flight menu

Singapore Airlines, the national airline of Singapore, has assured its customers that they need not worry about consuming dairy products made in China onboard the carrier’s flights since all items produced in China have been removed from the in-flight menu.

The announcement by Singapore Airlines follows widespread fears that milk packaged in China as well as dairy products made in Chinese have been contaminated with melamine and other chemicals.

Reports in the Western media had said that over 6,000 infants have been exposed to the dangerous chemical melamine and dozens of infants have died of it.

In a message on its website, Singapore Airlines said: “As a result of health and safety concerns arising from dairy products from the People’s Republic of China, Singapore Airlines has taken steps to remove dairy products sourced from China from its flights. Further, the airline has instructed its caterers worldwide not to use dairy products from China in the preparation of meals.”

“Singapore Airlines,” the message on the website continued, “will use its best efforts to ensure that dairy products served, or used in production of meals, are sourced from outside the People’s Republic of China. We apologise if this means some choices are not available while we source for alternative supplies.”

Singapore Airlines, which operates a hub at Singapore’s Changi Airport, has a strong presence in South-East Asia, East Asia, South Asia and Australia. The airline also operates trans-Pacific flights, including two of the world’s longest non-stop commercial flights from Singapore to Newark (New Jersey) and Los Angeles  (California) in the United States on the Airbus A340-500. Singapore Airlines is also the launch customer of the Airbus A380 Superjumbo, the world’s biggest passenger aircraft.

To put into practice its decision to do away with milk and dairy products sourced from China, Singapore Airlines has sent out urgent messages to caterers around the world asking them to ensure that they do not include Chinese dairy products or other ingredients from China in any of their meals.

Singapore Airlines, widely known for the high-quality service that passengers enjoy, even in economy-class cabins, indicated in the statement that “since it is currently looking for alternative suppliers, it is very likely that there will be less choice and variety in terms of in-flight meal options at least in the immediate future.” The carrier said it is working on securing new catering arrangements.

According to aviation experts, Singapore Airlines’ move to shun Chinese dairy products is likely to affect most flights departing from airports in some Asian countries rather than flights departing from the United States or other Western countries.