“I also note that this particular principal is a frequent flyer in the media, complaining about quite a range of government policies, which people have the right to do, but I think people need that context.”
The meals were covered in “furry stuff”.
Seymour, the Associate Education Minister and the driving force behind the lunches scheme, claimed it was not clear if it was a mix-up by the school or with the food group that supplied the lunches, Compass.
“I need to be clear that there has been no illness. You know, there’s been reporting by this principal,” he said.
The meals, provided as part of the Government’s school lunch programme, were eaten by some students yesterday before a teacher intervened.
Burrows said the school was in “no way responsible for the situation”.
“The food is delivered to us daily, and leftovers are removed each day.”
She said as soon as teachers realised the food was “mouldy and furry”, they leapt into action.
“One of the teachers decided that they would have lunch because, of course, we are encouraged to eat the lunches as well,” Burrows said.
The lunches served at Haeata Community Campus were covered in a thick layer of mould.
Compass Group NZ and Gilmours form a partnership to supply meals under the School Lunch Collective.
Burrows said the Compass Group was the provider of the contaminated lunches, but of the two batches provided to the school, only one appeared to have mould.
Helen Hurst, hautū (leader) operations and integration, Ministry of Education, said they were investigating the incident.
“We have been in touch with the school.
“There are no reports of student illness. We have advised the school to monitor students, and any illness is to be reported to Te Whatu Ora.
“We are working with MPI on this investigation. No other school has reported any issues with today’s lunches.”
A School Lunch Collective spokesperson said they were working with the school and MPI to better understand what had happened.
“We take pride in our food quality and know this is something that cannot be compromised.
“Our kitchens are verified and audited regularly by an independent MPI-verified provider, and we follow the Food Act, Food Control Plans and related regulations.
“These measures have been in place since the beginning of the programme.”
Although Compass did not secure the contract to provide school lunches to primary schools, they would still be providing lunches to intermediate and secondary schools next year.