Sunshine Catering, the company contracted by the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council to provide food for police officers on duty during the street festivities, has refuted allegations by officers that the food served did not meet health standards.
The director of Sunshine Catering, Jesús Lista, insisted that the catering service for the police officers “has fully complied with all required sanitary conditions” and attributed the officers’ complaints to “internal conflict” stemming from the upcoming union elections. “The company’s image has been tarnished due to a conflict between the Police and the City Council, putting 58 jobs and 1,300 school menus at risk,” he added.
The company’s response comes after local police reported to the Cabildo and the Department of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands, alleging that the van delivering the food “was not refrigerated or suitable for transporting food,” and carried perishable items such as tortillas, mayonnaise, custard, and yogurt in cardboard refrigerators without maintaining the cold chain.
In defence, Lista explained that “the van is authorised by Health and complies with health and hygiene regulations,” pointing out that the trunks transporting the police menus were isothermal and capable of preserving the cold for up to three hours. He further stated that the food was individually packaged, in good condition, and had the necessary documentation for consumption.
Lista clarified that “most of the menu items were not prepared in the company’s kitchens, except for the tortillas and empanadas, as they were packaged foods from commercial brands.” He also addressed the presence of a live cockroach, stating that “there were no dead cockroaches inside the boxes, only one on top of a delivery trunk, which must have entered when the van doors were open.”
Refuting the allegations, Lista emphasised that the company works with certified food and pest control companies and conducts regular audits. He expressed hope for Public Health to verify the claims, questioning the timing of the report being filed on the last day of distribution after several days of service during the Carnival.
Meanwhile, the City Council has chosen to defer assessment of the police report and awaits Public Health’s determination regarding any potential breaches.
