|
|
| Ind. Jail's Caterer Has History of Violations |
| By Indianapolis Star |
| Published: 05/30/2003 |
|
Inmates at the Marion County (Ind.) Jail have been fed contaminated food at least 10 times in the past seven years, a Star examination of county Health Department records has found. Most recently, inmates were served boiled beetle larvae in peas on May 6, the Marion County Health Department said in a report released Monday. A year ago, Festa Catering, the company responsible for food preparation, served undercooked chicken that sickened more than 75 people. Inspection reports tell of a 30-hour period when inmates became violently ill with diarrhea and vomiting. This time, the results weren't as serious. But many inmates became nauseated after discovering they were fed beetle larvae, which had infested several 100-pound bags of dried peas, the Health Department confirmed. The jail contracts with Festa, a private Indianapolis firm, to provide meals. The firm works with 25 male inmate workers to prepare meals in the jail's kitchen. Since 1995, the Health Department has cited Festa's operations at the jail for violations that include E. coli contamination, undercooking meat and not refrigerating perishable food. The only time Festa's license has been suspended was in October 1995, for serving food on unsanitized dishes and for continuing violations of the county health code. Festa was contracted in 1995 to work for the jail by the previous sheriff, Jack Cottey. The contract is reopened for competitive bidding every two years as required by county law. Last Dec. 17, Cottey renewed Festa's contract for another two years. 'Because of the massive changeover of staff and because we privatized the medical office, we decided just to stay with Festa,' said Maj. Michael Turner of the Sheriff's Department. 'You can only change so many things, and we decided to give Festa a chance to make it work.' Although Festa is licensed by the Health Department and serves food for public consumption, it is the jail's kitchen that is inspected. 'Festa has a license to serve food at the jail,' said John T. Althardt, spokesman for the Health Department. 'But since the food is brought in whole by Festa and prepared at the jail, Festa itself is not inspected.' Althardt added that the jail is inspected only when a complaint is filed and shortly after to verify that it is complying with the health code. Jail officials said they could not say how much the county pays Festa but that the company prepares inmates' meals for 67 cents each. On that budget, it can be challenging to make nutritious meals for the nearly 1,600 people at the jail. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think