Beetle remains found in school lunch soup

Beetle remains were found in meat soup served to children at six schools, mbl.is reported on Friday. The meals were served at four preschools in Breiðholt, Reykjavík, and two primary schools in Garðabær and Sandgerði.

Skólamatur ehf. prepared the soup, which was distributed to schools served by the company. The company said the beetle remains came from rice purchased from the supplier Garri.

“This was an irregularity found in a purchased raw material from Garri. Nothing has emerged indicating that the issue can be traced to production, cooking, serving or hygiene at Skólamatur,” the company said in a statement.

Jón Axelsson, Skólamatur’s chief executive, told mbl.is that the remains were discovered when the food was being portioned onto plates. He said the beetles had been in sealed packaging containing rice.

The rice was taken out of use and discarded after the company activated its response procedures. Skólamatur said the traceability of the ingredient had been confirmed and that the matter had been raised with Garri.

The health inspection authority was notified and representatives visited Skólamatur’s premises to review the conditions and procedures. The company said no comments were made after the inspection and that it was confirmed the incident had not posed a health risk.

“We are not making light of this matter at all,” Jón said, adding that the company was prioritising efforts to establish the full facts. Skólamatur said it deeply regretted the incident and would follow it up with the supplier and the authorities.

The incident will not affect Skólamatur’s planned preparation of meat soup at Ljósanótt in Reykjanesbær on Friday evening. The company said that soup would be made with fresh ingredients from another supplier.