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| Ind. Sheriff Orders Probe of Caterer at Jail |
| By Indianapolis Star |
| Published: 06/16/2003 |
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Anderson acted last week after The Indianapolis Star reported that Festa Catering had a history of violating county health department standards at the jail. During the past seven years, Festa has been paid more than $12 million to feed jail inmates. The company has been cited by the health department at least 10 times for violations, which include E. coli contamination, undercooking meat and not refrigerating perishable food. Festa says it has not given tainted food to inmates. Anderson said Festa must provide him with a written report explaining its behavior since 1995, when the company received its first contract to provide food service at the jail under then-Sheriff Jack L. Cottey. One of Anderson's deputies will examine health department records. 'I am emphatic about the quality of service,' Anderson said. 'I called in Festa to the office and laid down the law.' Last week, the health department said two kinds of beetle larvae had infested boiled peas served to inmates in early May. Festa lawyer Paul Page called the report unfounded, and said Festa had ordered its own lab report and found no contamination. 'Our lab reports showed nothing,' he said. 'If the Board of Health made any recommendations upon that inspection, Festa Catering would have immediately responded.' Page said that since Anderson asked for a report, Festa has taken 'drastic precautionary measures to ensure balanced and nutritious meals are served to the inmates.' It now serves only canned food and has hired an additional employee to supervise the kitchen. Reports will be due June 3, one day before a federal court hearing to determine whether the sheriff can be held in contempt of a 1975 court order mandating 'safe and humane' conditions in the jail. |
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