ONLY ON ABC-7: Student alleges she was served broccoli with bugs

It’s one thing for your child to tell you they found something gross in their high school cafeteria lunch. It’s another to see pictures.

A student at Mountain View High School in the Clint Independent School District sent ABC-7 three pictures of what she says are bugs in her school lunch broccoli that she was served Monday. She wishes to remain anonymous.

“Oh, no. My kids are eating this?” one mom said outside the school Wednesday.

“I don’t think that’s acceptable. It’s kinda gross,” Jaime Ramirez said.

“I really couldn’t believe it. I haven’t seen that in such a long time. When I first started here we used to see that quite a bit,” city of El Paso Food Inspection Program Manager Santiago Varela said. He couldn’t immediately identify what type of insect is in the pictures sent to ABC-7. He said an investigator has been sent to Mountain View to see if any other foods are affected.

As ABC-7 has previously reported, all students at CISD schools get free meals.

An emailed statement from a CISD spokeswoman said that along with the broccoli incident at Mountain View, some strawberry cups were reported at the Early College Academy a few weeks ago. She said the district strives to provide healthy and safe meals daily for their students since it’s imperative to their learning.

Vegetables and fruits served at all CISD schools are supposed to be washed and rinsed prior to serving.

Students are encouraged by both the district and city health department to report anything unusual in food served to them. Every complaint submitted to the department of public health is investigated. Varela said schools are inspected at least twice a year and are held to the same standards as restaurants.