One of the meals that was served up to students on Monday. Photo: Supplied / Haeata Community Campus
The rotten food served to students at a Christchurch school had likely been delivered on Thursday, remained at the school without refrigeration until they were accidentally re-served on Monday, says NZ Food Safety (NZFS).
Haeata Community Campus students were served rancid, mouldy meals as part of the government's school lunch programme on Monday.
The school, which covers from Year 1 to 13, said a teacher noticed the meals were off after they had been distributed to a number of children.
New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vince Arbuckle said NZFS had a team onsite at the school and Compass today investigating the affected meals.
"We have considered all possible causes.
"We think it is more than likely that the affected meals at the school had been delivered the previous Thursday, remained at the school without refrigeration, and then were accidentally re-served to students alongside fresh meals delivered on Monday. This would explain the deterioration of the meals."
Associate Education Minister David Seymour said Compass had been smeared for something it more than likely had nothing to do with.
"We can never be absolutely certain but on the balance of probabilities it is the person who has vociferously and politically gone out in the media on this issue, attacking me, the government and Compass, the food provider, who is responsible."
Compass has been contacted for comment.
- more to come
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