The head of the Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) on Monday revealed that state inspectors were due to arrive the same day at a south-central Greece production unit where meals distributed to primary school pupils in the wider Lamia area last week caused food poisoning of 63 minors at seven separate schools.
Later reports on Monday evening, quoting public health authorities in the country, said the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus (staph) was detected in some of the meals distributed to the pupils.
The specific production unit, however, identified as the Giannitsis Logistics S.A., was largely burned to the ground on Sunday evening.
In comments to an Athens-based television station, EFET president Andreas Zampelas said inspectors of Greece’s public food and raw materials watchdog had first arrived at the Gianntsis unit on Saturday. However, the production line was not operating and was scheduled to reopen on Monday.
“”Unfortunately, after this tragic event, obviously our actions are canceled. So, there is no EFET report or conclusion regarding the meals that were distributed,” he merely said.
Nevertheless, the supreme court’s chief prosecutor, Georgia Aidilini, on Monday morning ordered an investigation to be conducted by the prosecutor’s office in the Lamia district into the destruction of the unit, which is located in city’s industrial zone. The fire brigade has already begun its own investigation into the possibility of arson.
According to local media reports, the entire production unit was left in ashes in less than an hour after a fire broke out after 10 p.m., and despite a massive response by the fire brigade, which brought 18 vehicles, a crane and 40 fire-fighters to the scene.
