Associated Press
Grand Rapids, Mich. — Some western Michigan jail inmates sued a food contractor and Kent County this week over a 2012 incident when nearly a quarter of the 1,000 inmates at the Kent County Jail fell ill after eating chicken tacos, according to The Grand Rapids Press.
Kent County and food contractor Aramark Corp. are named in the suit which was filed Thursday in Kent County Circuit Court.
It says the tacos were served on April 15, 2012. About 250 inmates said they were sickened. Tests showed bacteria may have caused the illnesses.
The lawsuit is seeking at least $25,000. It was filed on behalf of five inmates but others have since decided to join the lawsuit, said attorney Jason Barrix, one of the lawyers representing the inmates.
Aramark provides food services for the jail.
“We have not yet been served with the suit and are unable to comment,” Aramark spokeswoman Karen Cutler told The Associated Press Saturday in an email.
The AP left phone and emailed messages Saturday seeking comment from county officials.
At the time of the illnesses, Undersheriff Jon Hess said inmates raised concerns shortly after lunch was served that day, saying the tacos didn’t taste right.
Jail workers made sandwiches instead. The taco meals included tortilla shells and refried beans.
The chicken was cooked and put in a steamer to keep it warm, Hess said. It later was put in a pizza oven after someone noticed the steamer wasn’t working.
No inmates required hospitalization and officials said all recovered from the stomach troubles.
Samples of the tacos were provided to the Kent County Health Department.
Philadelphia-based Aramark has a three-year, $145 million prison food contract with Michigan’s Corrections Department.
The company’s performance in Michigan has been under scrutiny over misconduct by some of its employees and food contamination issues.