Air Canada Passenger Claims She Was Served 6-Month-Old Beef, But Viewers Say She Was Reading Date Like an American

Air Canada Passenger Raises Concerns Over Alleged Expired Food Served on Flight

An Air Canada passenger recently took to TikTok to express her shock and concern after claiming to have been served expired food during a flight. Kerry Schwartz, the creator behind the viral video, shared her experience onboard an Air Canada flight in November 2025. In the video, Schwartz showcased her food packaging, revealing an apparent expiration date of “05/11/2025” on the beef she was served.

However, viewers quickly pointed out a crucial detail that sparked a debate. Many commenters noted that Schwartz may have misinterpreted the date format, reading it in the “American” month-day-year style instead of the day-month-year format commonly used in other parts of the world. This led to some confusion and differing interpretations of the actual freshness of the food.

Schwartz’s video captured the attention of social media users, with some expressing amusement at the date confusion. Despite the online banter, Schwartz maintained her initial concerns about the food quality, stating that the bread was hard and the overall meal seemed suspicious. A flight attendant allegedly confirmed to Schwartz that the food had indeed been prepared approximately six months prior but assured her it was safe for consumption.

In response to the incident, Air Canada has not issued a statement addressing the specific allegations made by Schwartz. The airline industry expert, Randy Worobo, a professor of food science at Cornell University, explained that frozen airline meals are typically safe to eat if properly stored and packaged. He emphasized that freezing can prolong the shelf life of food without compromising its safety.

While some users defended Air Canada in the comments section, suggesting that the food safety protocols were adequate, Schwartz and her companion decided to err on the side of caution and refrain from consuming the questionable meal. Despite the flight attendant’s reassurance, Schwartz reported that her boyfriend experienced discomfort the following day.

The episode serves as a reminder of the importance of food safety regulations and consumer awareness, particularly in high-altitude environments like airplanes. As travellers navigate the skies, ensuring the quality and freshness of in-flight meals remains a top priority for airlines to uphold passenger satisfaction and well-being.

In conclusion, Schwartz’s TikTok video shed light on the potential misinterpretation of date formats and the challenges associated with ensuring food quality during air travel. The incident underscores the need for clear communication and transparency between airlines and passengers regarding meal preparation and expiry dates. As the aviation industry continues to evolve, maintaining stringent food safety standards is essential to safeguarding passenger health and satisfaction.