Lawmakers propose prison kitchen inspections after Aramark issues

State Representatives John Kivela (D-Marquette) and Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) recently introduced legislation to require that prison kitchen facilities have food safety inspections performed when a contractor is managing the kitchen facility to prepare or serve meals.

Currently, state prison kitchen facilities are exempt from being classified as a “food establishment” under the Michigan Food Law. The bills introduced by Kivela and McBroom would require that prison kitchens be inspected the local county health department, and the cost of the inspections would be the responsibility of the contractor providing food preparation and foodservice at each facility.

“Our prisons should face the same scrutiny as our schools, universities and senior centers,” Rep. McBroom said in a statement. “It seems only reasonable that those kitchens face the same strict inspections as required by any kitchen serving the public.”