Key Takeaways
- A food poisoning warning was issued after several Christchurch school children ate school lunches covered in thick mould.
- The Associate Education Minister, Seymour, claimed it was not clear if it was a mix-up by the school or Compass, the company providing the lunches.
- The principal of the school, Burrows, stated that the food was delivered daily and any leftovers were removed each day, and that the school had no involvement with the preparation or disposal of the food.
- An investigation is underway, and the School Lunch Collective is working with the school and MPI to better understand what happened.
- Experts say that consuming mould is generally safe, but there is a possibility of fungal toxins, although this is rare.
Introduction to the Incident
A disturbing incident occurred at a Christchurch school, where several students ate school lunches that were covered in thick mould. The incident has raised concerns about the quality of food provided to students and the safety protocols in place. The Associate Education Minister, Seymour, was quick to respond, stating that it was not clear if the incident was a result of a mix-up by the school or Compass, the company providing the lunches. However, the principal of the school, Burrows, clarified that the food was delivered daily and any leftovers were removed each day, and that the school had no involvement with the preparation or disposal of the food.
Reaction from the Principal
Burrows expressed her horror at the incident, stating that at least one parent had said her children would not be allowed to eat the lunches today, despite relying heavily on the programme to feed her family. Burrows also took issue with Seymour’s comment that she was a "frequent flyer" in the media, complaining about government policies. She stated that she was advocating for a vulnerable community and that her role was to articulate the concerns and feelings of that community. Burrows emphasized that the school had a system in place for distributing the lunches, and that an adult would thoroughly check all lunches today to ensure their safety.
Explanation of the Lunch Distribution Process
Burrows explained that the lunches were delivered by Compass Group NZ, which has a partnership with Gilmours to supply meals under the School Lunch Collective. She stated that the lunches were picked up and disposed of by Compass, and that the school had no involvement with the preparation or disposal of the food. Burrows said that the food was distributed by the school, but that the waste was put back into the containers that the food came in, and then all containers were taken straight back to Compass. This process, according to Burrows, ensures that the school has no role in the preparation or disposal of the food.
Expert Opinion on Mould
Professor Steve Flint, a Massey University expert in Food Safety and Microbiology, said that mould could typically form within a few days in room temperature environments or over a few weeks refrigerated. He stated that the food in the lunches, cooked meat and vegetables, would have typically needed to be exposed to the air or had mould spores sealed into the containers for it to have grown mould. Flint also said that consuming mould was generally safe, and that it was rare to develop illness, especially mould that forms on cooked meat. However, he noted that there was a possibility of fungal toxins, although this was rare and usually associated with certain types of products, such as grain.
Investigation and Response
The Ministry of Education and the School Lunch Collective are investigating the incident, and the school has been advised to monitor students for any illness. The School Lunch Collective stated that it takes pride in its food quality and knows that this is something that cannot be compromised. The company emphasized that its kitchens are verified and audited regularly by an independent MPI-verified provider, and that it follows the Food Act, food control plans, and related regulations. Although Compass did not secure the contract to provide school lunches to primary schools, it will still be providing lunches to intermediate and secondary schools next year. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and quality of food provided to students, and it remains to be seen how the investigation will unfold and what measures will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.