Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Type 983
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors; Company Policy
After briefing FA (Flight Attendant) I inspected crew meals. There was no dry ice in galley cart. FO (First Officer) meal was cold and with his plan to eat early he was fine. My meal was warm and I deemed it spoiled. Catering came took temperature and at 67 degrees agreed it was spoiled. Eventually a replacement meal and dry ice was provided. During the process I was greeted by a retired pilot and then subsequently a call by [Chief Pilot] due to me delaying flight to get a crew meal replacement. Both were friendly and not overtly pushing; but the mere presence and phone call implied pushing. Safety is priority. Just like a crew plans a route and fuel to safely conduct a flight; I also include my meal plan for the day to fuel me. I expect catering to provide the meals ordered so my plan can be safely executed. Had I not inspected the meals consuming a spoiled me further not refrigerated by dry ice 3 hours after departure and 4 plus after a spoiled meal was boarded a food poisoning event was a serious threat. To have two management types get involved and have station blame delay on me rather than root cause that catering failed; smacks of pushing and is contrary to safety. I don't like delaying flights. I take pride in serving our customers on time; but my health and safety should not be questioned or pushed.
B757 Captain reported an issue with the crew meals.