UPDATE: Students at Fowler Middle School in Tigard, Oregon, were served pretzels contaminated with oven cleaner earlier this week, sparking urgent concerns among parents and officials. The incident occurred on Monday, when oven cleaner in granular form was “mistakenly applied” to the pretzels, according to a school email.
Officials confirmed that after the alarming food contamination event, they contacted Oregon Poison Control to monitor affected students for potential symptoms. Parents are demanding accountability and answers about this serious safety breach.
A voicemail from school official Sharon Mitchell informed parent Kianna Bell that her child had consumed a part of one of the contaminated pretzels. “During sixth grade lunch, your student reported that they ate at least a part of a pretzel that was sprinkled with oven cleaner,” the message stated. Bell expressed her frustration, saying, “I want accountability. I want preventative measures. I want an investigation.”
In an email sent to families, school leadership acknowledged the incident, stating, “Understandably, we’ve heard a lot of concern around Monday’s food-contamination accident…we are dedicated to the well-being of our students.” The email reassured parents that the district is taking the incident seriously and is conducting a formal inquiry.
The school has not disclosed how the contamination occurred, but they are currently reviewing all safety protocols to prevent future incidents. “While we are limited in what we can share while that process is ongoing, please know it is being handled with the seriousness and care it deserves,” the email continued.
The ongoing investigation aims to provide clarity and ensure the safety of students moving forward. As parents await more information, the emotional impact on families remains palpable, with many seeking reassurance about their children’s safety.
Officials are expected to release further updates as the inquiry progresses, emphasizing the urgency of restoring trust within the school community. Stay tuned for more developments on this troubling situation.
