A food safety investigation has found a school lunches meal that burnt a Gisborne student came in packaging that was not designed for commercial reheating, and the incident could have been avoided if good processes were in place and followed.
Ilminster Intermediate School principal Jonathan Poole said earlier this month that the incident occurred after a student picked up the lunch and was walking with it to a seat, Stuff reported.
“It was too hot, it dropped, it exploded, and splattered all over his leg and basically gave him second-degree burns.”
The boy was treated at A&E.
New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said today an investigation had found that Compass Group had sourced lunches from a third-party supplier without ensuring the risks and suitability had been assessed before the meals were sent to schools.
“This third-party product packaging was not designed specifically for the commercial reheating process used and the absence of reheating instructions resulted in the meals being overheated and the packaging becoming compromised,” said Arbuckle.
The Heinz Watties meals was not at fault and “perfectly safe” for its intended domestic use.
“We found that the incident at the Gisborne school could have been avoided if good processes were in place and followed,” Arbuckle said.
“We have required that Compass, the lead provider of the School Lunch Collective, ensures that thorough risk assessment and oversight procedures are undertaken before using third-party suppliers in the future.
“Compass has been co-operative with our investigation, and we will monitor that the necessary corrective actions are taken in the interests of the students. We have advised the Ministry of Education (MoE) of our findings and requirements to Compass.
“We continue a series of site visits of the contracted providers and schools as we look into heating processes across facilities, as requested by MoE.”
A spokesperson for the School Lunch Collective said it was “working constructively with the Ministry for Primary and accept the findings – in relation to menu items that were used due to manufacturing shortfalls”.
“We have implemented additional procedures in the selection, processing and handling of food. We welcome MPI’s role in regulating our processes, which we take great pride in. Our kitchens are verified and audited regularly by an independent MPI verification body, and we follow the Food Act, Food Control Plans and related regulations.”
It had previously apologised for the incident.
Associate Education Minister David Seymour said at the time he was “deeply concerned” about what had happened and extended his sympathies to the child.
The Education Ministry also said it was “deeply troubled”.