School food supplier under investigation in Peru

An investigation has been opened into the supplier of a school feeding program in Peru after more than a dozen pupils fell sick earlier this year.

Prosecutors are following up allegations of bribery by a company that supplied food to schools, as part of the Qali Warma program, to avoid responsibility for 16 children getting ill in March.

The Fiscalía Especializada en Delitos de Corrupción de Funcionarios de Puno visited the offices of Qali Warma and the Regional Health Directorate (Diresa) of Puno, as well as the Gamaliel Churata educational institution.

A representative of the Frigoinca company is under suspicion for alleged delivery of gifts to a Diresa official to influence the analysis of samples collected as part of the investigation into the illness of schoolchildren in the district of Cabana, province of San Román.

Following a report broadcast by the program Punto Final, the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion (MIDIS), through the Public Prosecutor’s Office, ordered the filing of a criminal complaint against the company and the public official involved.

MIDIS condemned any manipulation of procedures and health assessments that may have been carried out by personnel from the Regional Health Directorate of Puno.

Distribution of products halted

Authorities have suspended the release, distribution, and consumption of Don Simón brand foods, which are produced by Frigoinca. Qali Warma will hire an external agency to take samples of all Don Simón branded canned meat products nationwide to determine its suitability.

Pedro Ripalda Ramírez, executive director of the National School Feeding Program Qali Warma, said: “There are no half measures here, there is no support for any supplier, anyone who puts school meals at risk will be sanctioned, not only from a legal point of view, but will also cease to be a supplier to Qali Warma.”

The blocked product will be replaced by another brand or product with the same calories and nutrients that has the necessary health records and certificates to ensure the school food program can continue.

The General Directorate of Environmental Health (Digesa) has been asked to carry out sanitary supervision and surveillance of products distributed in Puno, but also of all batches, in warehouses and in the supplier’s plant in Chepén, La Libertad.

Officials have also verified that warehouses of pre-school and primary educational sites have suspended use of Don Simón brand items until their quality is guaranteed.

“As is public knowledge, Don Simón brand products are prohibited and we are checking in all educational institutions. We have observed that they are complying with all current health regulations. Everything is in accordance with the operation,” said Efrain Yanarico Quispe.

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