Jersey City health officials are investigating claims that expired food was served to students at Ferris High School. The allegations were brought to light by the school’s former Deputy Director of Food Services, Chris Sarullo, during a school board meeting. He presented photographs of the expired food, which he said made him sick to think it could have been served to students.
The allegations come after a health inspector found boxes of expired meat on 28 March, including ready-to-cook turkey roast with labels from 2017, 2018, and 2019, as well as breakfast items with best-by dates over a year old. The inspector ordered the school to immediately dispose of all expired products.
Sarullo, who was fired from his position just three months after being hired, claims that his termination was retaliatory. He said, “They said I couldn’t get the product out. Why was it sitting there for so long? How was I supposed to get rid of it in my short three months?” He contacted city health inspectors, who confirmed that all expired and outdated food has since been discarded.
Ferris High School students have also reported consuming expired food. “About three times I drank milk that had that expired tangy taste to it,” said Jahlil Wright, a student at the school. It is unclear how long expired food has been served to students at the school.
Eyewitness News reached out to School Superintendent Norma Fernandez for comment but received no response. The school district has not issued a statement on the matter.
The Jersey City Health Department is investigating the claims and is urging anyone with information to come forward. “We take these allegations very seriously,” said Health Officer Greg Kierce. “Our top priority is the health and safety of our residents, especially our children.”
Food safety regulations require schools to follow strict guidelines when it comes to food handling and storage. Schools must ensure that all food is safe for consumption, properly labelled, and stored at the correct temperature. Failure to do so can lead to foodborne illness, which can be especially dangerous for children.
The investigation into the expired food claims at Ferris High School is ongoing, and health officials are urging parents to be vigilant about their children’s health. Anyone who suspects that their child may have become ill from consuming expired food should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
This incident serves as a reminder that food safety is of the utmost importance in all settings, especially in schools where children’s health and well-being are at stake. It is important for schools to follow strict guidelines and for parents to be aware of what their children are eating. The investigation into the claims at Ferris High School will hopefully bring about positive change and ensure that students are not put at risk in the future.
