The Temptingly Convenient Airport Food Travelers May Want To Avoid

Catching your rideshare, checking your bags, and doing your best to remain calm during security checks at the airport can all make the appeal of fast and easy food overwhelming. What better way to refuel than to grab a sandwich or salad from the refrigerated kiosk near your gate? But these seemingly healthy and quick meals aren't always the best choice if they've been mishandled, which could lead to a very uncomfortable plane ride.

Prepackaged sandwiches and salads are among the top culprits when it comes to cases of food poisoning. As microbiologist Primrose Freestone at the University of Leicester wrote on The Conversation, the juice from salad leaves can actually perpetuate the growth of pathogens, even when refrigerated. While most bagged salad is safe to eat, Freestone points out that the key to keeping your leafy meal healthy is to consume it as soon as possible after it's purchased.

And similar rules apply to other foods. Foodborne illnesses from contaminants such as Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, and Salmonella can thrive when prepared food is handled improperly. Meats and vegetables must be prepared, stored, and eaten within a specific timeframe in order to avoid dangerous bacteria. But even prolonged refrigeration can't stave off those microorganisms. Fortunately, there are other options for food at airports, such as the dishes at 10 U.S. airport lounges worth the splurge. But those of us who don't have the time or extra cash for a lounge should pay attention to a few red flags when choosing terminal grub.

There are plenty of convenient ways to find food in airports, especially in Tampa, home of the top airport for food and travel. But no matter how big of a rush you are in at the airport, you can protect yourself by looking for a few basic food red flags. Checking for an expiration or "made on" label attached to the container holding your potential meal is a good first step. If it shows an expired date, pass on purchasing the product. If the label states that the food was prepared before the day of purchase, its contents could also be past their shelf life. So, if there's any doubt, skip that airport sandwich or salad — or, if you already purchased it and hopped on your flight, throw it out.

Since bacteria grow on food rapidly when it's left out in temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit (per the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service), it may be best to avoid prepackaged meals altogether. As a rule of thumb, perishable foods should not be consumed if they've been left out at room temperature for more than two hours. Cold foods like those convenient salads or sandwiches must be refrigerated at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, the USDA adds.

For those who want to avoid purchasing food altogether at the airport, it is possible to bring your own snacks and meals with you. In fact, there's one luxury appetizer that TSA lets you bring through security with zero issues. But if you do find yourself needing a pre-flight meal to hold you over (and you don't have food stashed away in your carry-on), consider arriving early for your flight and enjoying something freshly made instead of a grab-and-go option. Your stomach will thank you.