According to NZ Food Safety, the rotten food served at Haeata Community Campus was likely delivered on Thursday last week and remained unrefrigerated at the school until it was mistakenly re-served to students yesterday.
Students were served rancid, mouldy meals as part of the government’s school lunch program. The school, catering to students from Year 1 to 13, stated that a teacher noticed the spoiled meals after they had been distributed to several children.
New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vince Arbuckle mentioned that their team was investigating the affected meals at the school and Compass Group, the provider.
Principal Burrows clarified that the school did not reheat the lunches as they were delivered hot by Compass Group, and the school does not distribute cold food.
However, a spokesperson for Compass Group’s School Lunch Collective, Paul Harbey, explained that one heated container of meals was left at the school last Thursday, which may have led to the incident.
Despite differing accounts, both parties await further investigation results from NZ Food Safety. The school’s security camera footage shows all Cambro boxes being returned to Compass Group, contradicting NZ Food Safety’s initial findings.
Associate Education Minister David Seymour defended Compass Group against accusations, suggesting that the responsibility lies elsewhere.
Principal Burrows expressed disappointment at Seymour’s comments, emphasizing the impact of the incident on the school and community’s trust in food security.
The events surrounding the meal controversy have caused distress among Compass workers, prompting a call for factual accuracy and acknowledgment of the company’s commitment to food safety.
