Sodexo questioned about selling expired food

FLORENCE, Ala. — Sodexo’s UNA Dining Services was a major talking point during SGA’s UPC and Senate meetings last week.

Conversations revolved around expired food, to-go boxes and customer service March 9 and 12.

“I would honestly like to see them take more steps in treating their service to students like it is more than just a business,” said senior Walter Hartley, a UPC delegate and Freshman Forum Adviser. “I just wanted to let you all know that they are selling expired food, and it has been over a constant time period.”

Hartley said he has seen expired salads, salad dressing, fruit and frozen meals on multiple visits to the C-store and has brought the issue to Sodexo employees several times.

Last week, The Flor-Ala found salad dressings in the C-store that expired in November and December 2014.

Sodexo operations manager Gwen Burney said March 12 this is not the first time expired food in the C-store was brought to her attention. She said she once found expired milk being sold.

“I address that with my staff,” Burney said. “They’ve had so many issues. I am making sure they are going through and taking the necessary steps and checking their products every day as a part of their task list.”

She said she will work to ensure students “never again” find expired food in the on-campus dining facilities, as food that expired last year is “not acceptable.”

Despite Burney’s comments, expired salad dressings remained in the C-store March 16.

SGA President KeKoria Greer said she is working with Burney to correct the problems.