Dozens of students at an Oregon middle school were mistakenly served pretzels contaminated with a granulated oven cleaner during lunch service this week. The incident, which affected as many as 50 students, has prompted a full investigation by the Tigard-Tualatin School District and a promise to rebuild community trust.
The event occurred on Monday at Fowler Middle School, where 37 pretzels tainted with the cleaning agent were distributed. Some students reported experiencing discomfort in their mouths and throats after consumption, leading to an immediate response from school officials.
Key Takeaways
- Up to 50 students at Fowler Middle School were affected after eating contaminated pretzels.
- The contaminant was identified as Alto Shaam, a granulated oven cleaner containing sodium hydroxide.
- The Tigard-Tualatin School District has called the incident a result of "human error" and launched a full inquiry.
- No student hospitalizations have been reported, but some experienced mouth and throat discomfort.
- The district has pledged to cover any medical expenses incurred by the affected families.
Incident at Fowler Middle School
The school day took an alarming turn on Monday when students at Fowler Middle School began reporting adverse reactions after eating pretzels served in the cafeteria. School staff quickly determined that a batch of 37 pretzels had been inadvertently exposed to a commercial-grade oven cleaner.
As many as 50 students are believed to have consumed all or part of the contaminated food items. Following the initial reports, the school administration acted swiftly to identify and assess all students who had eaten the pretzels.
The Oregon Poison Center was contacted immediately for guidance on how to manage the situation and advise on potential symptoms. School personnel then began the process of contacting the families of every student known to have been affected.
Immediate Health Concerns
The cleaning agent involved was identified as Alto Shaam, a granulated product used for cleaning commercial ovens. A primary ingredient in this cleaner is sodium hydroxide, a highly caustic chemical.
What is Sodium Hydroxide?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ingestion of sodium hydroxide can cause severe symptoms, including vomiting, abdominal pain, and a burning sensation. In more serious cases, it can lead to perforation of the gastrointestinal tract and shock.
Officials from Oregon Health & Science University’s Oregon Poison Center confirmed that ingesting the cleaner can cause a burning sensation. While some students at Fowler Middle School reported discomfort in their mouth or throat, the district has stated that it has not received any reports of student hospitalizations related to the incident.
The prompt communication with the poison control center was a critical step in ensuring students received appropriate care and observation following the exposure.
District Responds to 'Human Error'
The Tigard-Tualatin School District has taken public responsibility for the mistake, attributing it to a breakdown in food handling procedures.
"We serve thousands of meals every day, and our first priority is always to protect the safety and well-being of our students," said Alex Pulaski, the district's director of communications. "In this instance, we erred, and we are working to rebuild trust as we conduct a full inquiry into what happened."
The district has characterized the contamination as a result of "human error." An internal investigation is now underway to determine exactly how the oven cleaner came into contact with the food and what steps can be taken to prevent a similar event from occurring in the future.
Focus on Food Safety Protocols
School cafeterias are subject to strict health and safety regulations that govern food storage, preparation, and cleaning procedures. A key principle is the complete separation of food products from cleaning chemicals to prevent cross-contamination. The ongoing investigation will likely focus on how and why these established protocols failed.
In a message sent to the school community, Fowler Middle School Principal Cindy Pellicci reassured parents that student safety remains the highest priority.
“We understand that today’s food incident created significant alarm within our school community,” Pellicci wrote. She affirmed that “protocols were followed to immediately identify the students who ate the pretzels and check for illness or adverse reactions.”
Investigation and Rebuilding Trust
As the district proceeds with its internal inquiry, officials are focused on transparency and accountability. The primary goals are to understand the root cause of the error and implement corrective actions to ensure the safety of the school meal program.
The district has also committed to supporting the affected families. Officials have confirmed that they are working to ensure families are reimbursed for any medical costs they may have incurred as a result of the incident.
The school's administration and district leadership have emphasized their commitment to learning from this mistake. Rebuilding the trust of parents and students in the safety of the school's food services is now a central focus for the Tigard-Tualatin School District as the community processes this unsettling event.