Food Safety Violations Found at State Prisons

The Kansas Department of Corrections acknowledges that its inspectors consistently found dirty kitchens and other food safety violations at several state prisons.

The department does its own inspections, although it follows Kansas Department of Agriculture food safety guidelines.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the inspections were conducted between January 2013 and July 2014 at seven of the state’s 10 prisons and a total 19 facilities, such as satellite units.

Inspections weren’t provided for the Topeka, Lansing and Larned juvenile correctional facilities.

Corrections spokesman Jeremy Barclay says the department can take administrative action if a food service provider isn’t meeting the terms of the contract. But he said Aramark, which provides food services at most prisons, has shown it will take whatever steps are needed to fix the problems.