Flight makes emergency landing after passenger found a live mouse in meal

A Scandinavian Airlines flight from Oslo, Norway, to Málaga, Spain, was redirected for an emergency landing in Copenhagen after discovering something quite unexpected and unsettling- - there was a live mouse inside a passenger's meal.
Details of the incident
The incident happened when a passenger noticed the mouse jumping out of a food container during the flight. Passenger Jarle Borrestad, who shared his experience on social media, mentioned that the atmosphere on board remained surprisingly calm despite this significantly unusual event. He humorously noted that he even took precautions by covering his legs with his socks to prevent the mouse from crawling on him.

Safety protocols activated
SAS spokesman Oystein Schmidt mentioned to AFP that the redirection was a safety precaution as the rat could have been a potential threat, particularly to possible damage to the aircraft's electrical systems. After landing at the Copenhagen airport, the aircraft was carefully checked in search of the hidden mouse, and the passengers were shifted to another flight headed to Málaga in a short time after landing.

Understanding the root causes
This unusual incident has brought up questions about how such a mistake could happen. Surasree Basak, a graduate of the Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training, explained to Indian Express that there are generally rigorous measures in place to prevent such incidents. “Every stage of food preparation and handling should have a supervisor to ensure hygiene standards are met,” she noted.
Basak suggested that the error could arise from two particular stages- - either during food preparation in the kitchen or during transportation to the aircraft. If hygiene practices are not strictly followed, contamination may occur, leading to such astonishing discoveries on board.

Airline's response
While SAS represented the incident as highly unusual, the airline has reaffirmed and emphasized its commitment to passenger safety. As Schmidt emphasized, there are set protocols for handling these rare occurrences, including an extensive evaluation of practices with food suppliers to prevent future incidents.
In a nutshell, while the diversion caused a little delay, passengers were safe and unharmed. This event functions as a reminder of the importance of strict hygiene standards in the airline industry, particularly when it comes to catering on the flight.
The calm response from both passengers and crew helped handle the situation well, and the airline’s quick actions made sure the travel experience wasn’t too disrupted. This shows that even in well-controlled settings, unexpected things can happen, but acting fast and following clear rules can make a big difference.
How can such incidents be avoided?
Airlines must implement several measures to prevent incidents like these, such as conducting thorough, regular inspections of the aircraft and sealing all potential entry points for rodents. Maintain high sanitation standards and promptly remove food waste. Use rodent repellents and traps both in the aircraft and in hangars. Engage professional pest control services for regular checks and treatments. Train ground staff and flight crew to recognise and report any signs of rodent activity immediately. These steps can collectively help to ensure a rodent-free environment, ensuring passenger safety and comfort.
What are the potential threats that can be caused by rats found in food?
Finding a live rat in food can pose significant health threats due to the potential for disease transmission and contamination. Rats are carriers of numerous dangerous pathogens, including Salmonella, E. coli, and hantavirus, which can easily contaminate food through their droppings, urine, and hair. This contamination can lead to foodborne illnesses, causing symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal distress to more serious conditions like kidney failure or sometimes even death. The presence of a live rat in food, highlights the serious need for good sanitary practices and effective pest control measures that aim to protect public health and ensure food security.