Food Fiasco at Shanghai Private School: Compass Group Now in Hot Water
Imagine a school lunch turning into a mouldy mystery—that’s exactly what happened at Shanghai’s SMIC Private School, and the global catering giant Compass Group Plc is getting a close look from local authorities.
What Went Wrong?
- The school’s cafeteria was found stocked with expired and stinky food.
- Parents conducted an informal audit on Friday and spotted suspicious manufacturing dates on several dishes.
- Fast food over in Beijing may be fine, but in Shanghai, freaky food is a national headline.
The Investigation
The Shanghai Market Supervisory Administration is diving deep into Shanghai Eurest Food Technologies Service Co Ltd, a Compass-owned unit, to spot any violations of operating qualifications and food safety protocols.
“If the school or contractor are found to be breaking the law, they’ll be swiftly and severely investigated,” the regulator stated.
Compass Group’s Quick Fix?
China’s food safety watchdogs have been on high alert: past scandals—from expired vaccines to recycled meat—have made everyone—especially parents—watchful.
Compass, the world’s biggest catering firm, rings up 22.6 billion pounds in revenue last year and runs brands like Eurest, Chartwells, ESS and Flik. Though the company can’t comment right now, it’s in a tricky spot.
Facing the Aftermath
- SMIC’s Response: The school apologized, suspended a staff member and issued reprimands.
- They’ve set up a task force and temporarily stopped their deal with Shanghai Eurest.
- Future plans: tighter oversight of the supplier and a stricter food‑quality process.
Food safety worries are nowhere near trivial in China; they can become a storm. Stay tuned to see if this investigation sparks a nationwide school lunch overhaul.
