B757 Captain experienced food poisoning from a crew meal that was consumed during an all night flight. Symptoms became noticeable one hour after eating and acute just after landing.

Narrative

All night flight. My last meal prior to the flight was about XA:00. Flight time was XC:19. Hunger became an issue about two and a half hours into the flight and we requested that our meals be cooked. The meals were brought to us and consumed. I had a special low sugar meal. I did not immediately notice anything wrong but started to feel some stomach pain about one hour after consumption of the meal. By the time we landed I was having very strong intestinal cramps and upon arrival diarrhea set in. I was able to drive home; stopping four times to empty my stomach and bowels. I called in sick for a trip tomorrow as this condition continues some eleven hours following the onset. I determined from the Purser that the meals for our flight were boarded some 9 to 11 hours prior to our flight and a full 14 hours prior to being consumed. The Purser told me following the flight that the chillers on this airplane were 'horrible' and not providing adequate cooling for anything. This is a horrendous situation. On a long all night flight; we DEPEND upon safe and adequate food service. There is no where to go and no other food to keep one going and blood sugar levels at adequate levels in order to safely operate the flight. Boarding these meals at what I estimate a full 11 hours prior to consumption into an airplane with questionable chillers is irresponsible and unsafe. This situation with crew meals MUST be addressed -it is dangerous and just cost me a three day trip worth of sick leave. I was glad that I did not consume the meal earlier in the flight.