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UPDATE Catering company says it has 'nothing to hide' after National Guard got sick from 'undercooked' food

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ALL GROSS FOOD UNDER SPOILERS!

Raw chicken, moldy bread and METAL SHAVINGS: The disgusting meals which have hospitalized Michigan National Guard troops in DC causing state lawmakers to demand a new food vendor be brought in

  • More than a dozen soldiers on deployment have become ill - with some serious enough to be hospitalized - after reportedly being given undercooked and contaminated food
  • Soldiers have blown the whistle on the sub-par food by sharing photos of pink chicken, uncooked beef and moldy food online
  • One staff sergeant revealed dozens of meals had to be thrown out when metal shavings were found inside
  • A group of lawmakers are demanding a new food vendor be brought in or troops be given a daily allowance
  • Almost 5,000 troops continue to guard the Capitol amid fears of a fresh siege as sources say there is intel of a militia plot to breach the Capitol on March 4
  • Some troops have been in DC for two months since the MAGA mob riot on January 6
  • In January thousands of Guardsmen were forced to sleep on the floor of a packed parking garage
Members of the Michigan National Guard complain they have been forced to eat raw chicken, moldy bread and meals containing metal shavings while they remain on guard in Washington DC protecting the US Capitol from attack.

More than a dozen soldiers on deployment have become ill - with some serious enough to be hospitalized - after reportedly being given undercooked and contaminated food..

Soldiers have blown the whistle on the sub-par food supplied by to troops stationed in DC by a National Guard contractor. They shared photos of pink chicken, uncooked beef and moldy food with lawmakers and online while one staff sergeant revealed dozens of meals had to be thrown out when metal shavings were found inside dishes.

A group of bipartisan lawmakers are now demanding a new food vendor is brought in, or for troops to be given a daily allowance to buy their own food. Some are calling for guard members to be sent home altogether.

Almost 5,000 troops continue to guard the Capitol amid fears of a fresh siege as sources say there is intel of a militia plot to breach the Capitol on March 4 - the same day supporters of the QAnon conspiracy theory believe Donald Trump will become president again.

For some soldiers, this means it is almost two months since they were first drafted in to the city following the MAGA mob riot on January 6 where Trump supporters broke into the Capitol in a violent siege that left five dead.

During their time protecting the seat of American democracy, National Guard members have endured substandard conditions, including being forced to sleep outside and put at risk of COVID.

Thousands of Guardsmen were forced to sleep on the floor of a packed parking garage back in January when they were told to stop taking their rest breaks inside the Capitol by a Capitol officer.

Meanwhile, hundreds of guard members tested positive for COVID-19 with insiders describing a failure by the National Guard to implement coronavirus testing and social distancing protocols evenly across the board.

39974342-9319315-image-a-11_1614742616010.jpg
Uncooked meat. Members of the Michigan National Guard have been forced to eat raw chicken, moldy bread and meals containing metal shavings while they remain on guard in Washington DC protecting the US Capitol from attack

39974360-9319315-image-a-16_1614742635158.jpg
Raw chicken. More than a dozen soldiers on deployment have become ill - with some serious enough to be hospitalized - after reportedly being given undercooked and contaminated food being supplied by a contractor to all troops stationed in DC

39974350-9319315-image-a-18_1614742644025.jpg
Moldy bread. Soldiers have blown the whistle on the sub-par food by sharing photos of pink chicken, uncooked beef and moldy food with lawmakers and online

In the latest saga around the treatment of the men and women deployed to the Capitol, National Guard members are complaining the food they are being given is inedible and unsafe, reported TV6.

Undercooked food left more than a dozen soldiers unwell including an unknown number who were taken to hospital as a result, one staff sergeant, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told 7 Action News.

The guard member said the issue is not isolated, citing multiple occasions where dozens of meals were tossed due to the discovery of raw meat or other contamination.

Almost 75 meals were thrown out Sunday after metal shavings were found inside them while another 74 meals had raw beef in them, they said.

Aside from the poor - and sometimes dangerous - quality, the sergeant said troops are not being given enough food, with breakfast some days consisting of just a dinner roll and Sunny D ahead of a 12-hour shift.

Many guard members are said to be resorting to buying their own food because they don't trust the food being provided to them.

Reports of the poor food has caused an uproar among lawmakers from both parties, with all 14 members of the Michigan Delegation in the House of Representatives sending a letter to Chief of the National Guard Bureau General Daniel R. Hokanson Tuesday.

39974340-0-image-a-40_1614743094886.jpg

39974366-9319315-Metal_shavings_One_staff_sergeant_revealed_dozens_of_meals_had_t-a-41_1614743094945.jpg
Metal shavings. One staff sergeant revealed dozens of meals had to be thrown out when metal shavings were found inside dishes

39974368-9319315-image-a-21_1614742944560.jpg

The shocking conditions have sparked a group of bipartisan lawmakers to demand a new food vendor be brought in or for troops to be given a daily allowance to buy their own food

39974352-9319315-image-a-28_1614742998726.jpg

39974348-9319315-image-m-27_1614742991264.jpg
Raw beef (left) and a bad orange (right). Just some of the food the troops are fed while protecting the Capitol

39974364-9319315-image-a-17_1614748045391.jpg
Aside from the poor - and sometimes dangerous - quality, the sergeant said troops are not being given enough food, with breakfast some days consisting of just a dinner roll and Sunny D ahead of a 12-hour shift

The letter, led by Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga of Michigan's 2nd Congressional District, demanded the National Guard void its contract with the current food supplier and either find another or for a per diem to be provided to troops.

It was signed by Debbie Dingell, Tim Walberg, Brenda Lawrence, Jack Bergman, Haley Stevens, Fred Upton, Elissa Slotkin, John Moolenaar, Dan Kildee, Peter Meijer, Andy Levin, Lisa McClain and Rashida Tlaib.

The bipartisan group hit out at the 'unacceptable and inadequate quality of food' that had 'hospitalized' some troops.

'We understand that the decision was made to provide contracted meals to support the entire federal response stationed at the Capitol,' the letter read.

'However, it is clear that these contracted meals are poorly prepared, oftentimes inedible, and highly inadequate to support our soldiers. It is completely unacceptable that our men and women serving in Washington D.C. are being hospitalized due to the food they are being provided.

'As Representatives of these service members, we request that either the current contract be voided and a new food provider be brought in or that the service members be provided with a per diem throughout their remaining time in Washington, D.C.'

39974334-9319315-image-a-9_1614742609587.jpg

Members of the National Guard are seen on the East Front of the US Capitol Building on Capitol Hill Tuesday

39974330-9319315-image-a-52_1614743557144.jpg

Around 5,000 troops continue to guard the Capitol amid fears of a fresh siege as sources say there is intel of a militia plot to breach the Capitol on March 4

Rep. Bergman said troops don't expect a '5-star resort' but what they have been served with is 'an embarrassment'.

'After visiting with our Michigan Guard troops in DC, I have heard from many over the past 48 hours regarding additional issues of contaminated and undercooked food being served,' he said, per TV6.

'This is unacceptable. Our troops don't demand a 5-star resort or expensive food, but at a minimum, they deserve meals that are safe to consume.

'This is an embarrassment for all those responsible for the care of our troops, and must be met with full accountability.'

Bergman called for the guard members to leave DC altogether saying t is 'time to get our troops home to their families.'

The Michigan National Guard released a statement saying reports of undercooked and inadequate food was 'very concerning' and 'unacceptable.'

'The Michigan National Guard finds the reports of undercooked and poorly prepared food provided to our service members in Washington, D.C. very concerning. The firsthand accounts and pictures of undercooked food being served clearly shows that what is being given to Michigan's service members is unacceptable,' it read.

The guard said the issue was escalated to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer who called Acting Secretary of the Army John E. Whitley 'to communicate Michigan's concerns'.

'Other Michigan senior leaders also engaged at the highest levels of the federal government to inform those in charge and to ensure that they knew of our displeasure with the conditions. Every assurance was given that the issue would be addressed and corrected,' the statement said.

39974356-9319315-image-a-43_1614743156427.jpg

The Michigan National Guard released a statement saying reports of undercooked and inadequate food was 'very concerning' and 'unacceptable'

Whitmer raised concerns about the issue almost two weeks ago on February 17 and was told it was being resolved, her office said.

But further complaints have surfaced since.

DailyMail.com has contacted the DC National Guard for comment about how the issue is being resolved.

Guard officials said Tuesday they were working on the matter but insisted there had only been a small number of incidents where food was uncooked, no substantiated complaints about foreign objects in food and no cases of foodborne illness reported, reported Detroit News.

Lt. Col. Robert Carver said less than 0.01 percent of the 1.2 million meals provided between January 6 and February 18 were undercooked.

Carver said meals were being spot checked and kitchens examined but there was no 'substantial issues' found so far.

Nearly 26,000 National Guard troops were sent from all 50 states in the wake of the January 6 Capitol riot to support the Capitol Police as part of the Post Inaugural Security Mission.

The guard members from other states work under the command and control of the Washington DC National Guard, which made the decision that all troops would receive contracted meals.

The contract was awarded and is monitored by the National Guard Bureau, according to the Michigan National Guard.

Rep. Debbie Dingell said it is not just a problem affecting the Michigan guard members.

38337038-9319315-News_of_an_outbreak_comes_after_shocking_pictures_showed_up_to_5-a-46_1614743228147.jpg

Issues with the quality of food comes after a backlash in January when shocking photos showed thousands of Guardsmen forced to sleep on the floor of the packed Thurgood Marshall Building parking garage and in a park outside (above)

38336862-9319315-Insiders_described_a_failure_by_the_National_Guard_to_implement_-a-51_1614743261640.jpg

Insiders described a failure by the National Guard to implement coronavirus testing and social distancing protocols evenly across the board. Pictured up to 5,000 troops in the garage

38368352-9319315-National_Guard_troops_sleep_on_the_grass_on_the_eastern_front_of-a-44_1614743225295.jpg

National Guard troops sleep on the grass on the eastern front of the US Capitol in January

'It's not only a Michigan guard problem. I stop and talk to all the guard out there, and they said it's improved, but still far from perfect,' she said.

Thousands of troops have returned home already but around 4,900 remain in DC until at least March 12 at the request of the Capitol Police.

This includes 1,000 members from the Michigan National Guard. The agreed upon end date for their deployment is March 12.

Issues with the quality of food comes after a backlash in January when shocking photos showed thousands of Guardsmen forced to sleep on the floor of the packed Thurgood Marshall Building parking garage and in a park outside.

Images showed troops packed inside parking garages during their rest breaks with one unit of around 5,000 forced to sleep in one garage with just one bathroom between all of them.

Before being located to the parking lot, the troops had been allowed to take rest breaks inside the Capitol building.

The soldiers do have hotel rooms but their 12 hour shift pattern means they cannot easily return to their rooms during rest breaks.

They had been asked to leave the Capitol building and take their rest breaks in a nearby designated parking lot by a Capitol officer who did not have the authority to do so.

Capitol Police apologized later and said troops could return to the Capitol after some Guardsmen said they felt 'incredibly betrayed'.

Later that month it emerged up to 200 National Guard members had tested positive for COVID-19, while several hundred more were in quarantine in hotels after showing symptoms or being exposed to the virus.

Insiders described a failure by the National Guard to implement coronavirus testing and social distancing protocols evenly across the board, with some troops not being tested on arrival, some receiving only temperature checks and some told to cut short quarantine or skip it entirely in order to report for duty.

March 2, 2021

General Daniel R. Hokanson
Chief, National Guard Bureau
The Pentagon
Arlington, VA 20301


Dear General Hokanson:

Over the last few months, members of the Michigan National Guard have honorably served in support of the mission to provide security and assistance in and around the U.S. Capitol. These men and women have once again answered the call in service to both the state of Michigan and the United States.

Recently, there have been several reports regarding the poor quality of food that is being provided to these service members. Michigan National Guard members stationed in our nation’s capital have repeatedly and personally brought these concerns directly to our offices and to the leadership of the National Guard. These reports include meals being provided that are badly undercooked, raw, moldy, and even filled with metal shavings.

We understand that the decision was made to provide contracted meals to support the entire federal response stationed at the Capitol. However, it is clear that these contracted meals are poorly prepared, oftentimes inedible, and highly inadequate to support our soldiers. It is completely unacceptable that our men and women serving in Washington D.C are being hospitalized due to the food they are being provided. As Representatives of these service members, we request that either the current contract be voided and a new food provider be brought in or that the service members be provided with a per diem throughout their remaining time in Washington, D.C.

The members of the National Guard have served honorably throughout the duration of this operation. We must never turn our backs on our soldiers, especially as they have demonstrated time and time again that haven’t turned our backs on us.

Thank you for your service to our nation and we look forward to a prompt response.

Respectfully,

Rep. Bill Huizenga Member of Congress
Rep. Brenda L. Lawrence Member of Congress
Rep. Tim Walberg Member of Congress
Rep. Debbie Dingell Member of Congress
Rep. Jack Bergman Member of Congress
Rep. Daniel T. Kildee Member of Congress
Rep. John Moolenaar Member of Congress
Rep. Andy Levin Member of Congress
Rep. Fred Upton Member of Congress
Rep. Haley Stevens Member of Congress
Rep. Peter Meijer Member of Congress
Rep. Lisa McClain Member of Congress
Rep. Elissa Slotkin Member of Congress
Rep. Rashida Tlaib Member of Congress


Raw chicken and metal shavings: Poor food has hospitalized Michigan National Guard troops in DC | Daily Mail Online
 

MegWJzy

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No surprise. Honestly, I was already tight back in Januarywhen they had them sleeping on the ground: they're not the army in the middle of the woods in a foreign country. They're on American soil, they should have proper cots, supplies and shelter.
 

missyed

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This is unacceptable, downright inhumane, especially for our soliders. They should be eating good with no worries. WTF!
 

jaceandrejones

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Raw chicken, mold and metal shavings? So, if a terrorist attack didn't take them out, the food damn sure would. They ain't even have the decency to run to Walmart and get them some lunchables.

giphy.gif


You would truly think that since the US Defense Budget is larger than the COMBINED spending of the next seven largest militaries: that the government as a whole would treat it's active duty, reserves and veterans better, but they don't. Military families on foodstamps, veterans got PTSD and can't get medicine or appointments at the VA, and women and men are being xesually assaulted and killed on bases.

I honestly don't see how anyone continues to voluntarily go into the military. Feed those same items to a dog and they will want to lock you up for animal cruelty.
 
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NoWAP4U

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That was so stupid and unnecessary. The vendor should be banned from rebidding in the future. It’s a ton of vendors in DC, contracting in general is competitive and lucrative. They have no excuse to have not done better
 

luckygirl93

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This is absolutely disgusting, how can you not tell that the meat isn’t cooked all the way through? Or see that the bed has mold on it? Or better yet the pieces of metal in the food? Like I don’t understand? This reminds of the time in school we were served half raw hamburgers.
 

ericandrehotpac

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ALL GROSS FOOD UNDER SPOILERS!

Raw chicken, moldy bread and METAL SHAVINGS: The disgusting meals which have hospitalized Michigan National Guard troops in DC causing state lawmakers to demand a new food vendor be brought in

  • More than a dozen soldiers on deployment have become ill - with some serious enough to be hospitalized - after reportedly being given undercooked and contaminated food
  • Soldiers have blown the whistle on the sub-par food by sharing photos of pink chicken, uncooked beef and moldy food online
  • One staff sergeant revealed dozens of meals had to be thrown out when metal shavings were found inside
  • A group of lawmakers are demanding a new food vendor be brought in or troops be given a daily allowance
  • Almost 5,000 troops continue to guard the Capitol amid fears of a fresh siege as sources say there is intel of a militia plot to breach the Capitol on March 4
  • Some troops have been in DC for two months since the MAGA mob riot on January 6
  • In January thousands of Guardsmen were forced to sleep on the floor of a packed parking garage
Members of the Michigan National Guard complain they have been forced to eat raw chicken, moldy bread and meals containing metal shavings while they remain on guard in Washington DC protecting the US Capitol from attack.

More than a dozen soldiers on deployment have become ill - with some serious enough to be hospitalized - after reportedly being given undercooked and contaminated food..

Soldiers have blown the whistle on the sub-par food supplied by to troops stationed in DC by a National Guard contractor. They shared photos of pink chicken, uncooked beef and moldy food with lawmakers and online while one staff sergeant revealed dozens of meals had to be thrown out when metal shavings were found inside dishes.

A group of bipartisan lawmakers are now demanding a new food vendor is brought in, or for troops to be given a daily allowance to buy their own food. Some are calling for guard members to be sent home altogether.

Almost 5,000 troops continue to guard the Capitol amid fears of a fresh siege as sources say there is intel of a militia plot to breach the Capitol on March 4 - the same day supporters of the QAnon conspiracy theory believe Donald Trump will become president again.

For some soldiers, this means it is almost two months since they were first drafted in to the city following the MAGA mob riot on January 6 where Trump supporters broke into the Capitol in a violent siege that left five dead.

During their time protecting the seat of American democracy, National Guard members have endured substandard conditions, including being forced to sleep outside and put at risk of COVID.

Thousands of Guardsmen were forced to sleep on the floor of a packed parking garage back in January when they were told to stop taking their rest breaks inside the Capitol by a Capitol officer.

Meanwhile, hundreds of guard members tested positive for COVID-19 with insiders describing a failure by the National Guard to implement coronavirus testing and social distancing protocols evenly across the board.

39974342-9319315-image-a-11_1614742616010.jpg
Uncooked meat. Members of the Michigan National Guard have been forced to eat raw chicken, moldy bread and meals containing metal shavings while they remain on guard in Washington DC protecting the US Capitol from attack

39974360-9319315-image-a-16_1614742635158.jpg
Raw chicken. More than a dozen soldiers on deployment have become ill - with some serious enough to be hospitalized - after reportedly being given undercooked and contaminated food being supplied by a contractor to all troops stationed in DC

39974350-9319315-image-a-18_1614742644025.jpg
Moldy bread. Soldiers have blown the whistle on the sub-par food by sharing photos of pink chicken, uncooked beef and moldy food with lawmakers and online

In the latest saga around the treatment of the men and women deployed to the Capitol, National Guard members are complaining the food they are being given is inedible and unsafe, reported TV6.

Undercooked food left more than a dozen soldiers unwell including an unknown number who were taken to hospital as a result, one staff sergeant, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told 7 Action News.

The guard member said the issue is not isolated, citing multiple occasions where dozens of meals were tossed due to the discovery of raw meat or other contamination.

Almost 75 meals were thrown out Sunday after metal shavings were found inside them while another 74 meals had raw beef in them, they said.

Aside from the poor - and sometimes dangerous - quality, the sergeant said troops are not being given enough food, with breakfast some days consisting of just a dinner roll and Sunny D ahead of a 12-hour shift.

Many guard members are said to be resorting to buying their own food because they don't trust the food being provided to them.

Reports of the poor food has caused an uproar among lawmakers from both parties, with all 14 members of the Michigan Delegation in the House of Representatives sending a letter to Chief of the National Guard Bureau General Daniel R. Hokanson Tuesday.

39974340-0-image-a-40_1614743094886.jpg

39974366-9319315-Metal_shavings_One_staff_sergeant_revealed_dozens_of_meals_had_t-a-41_1614743094945.jpg
Metal shavings. One staff sergeant revealed dozens of meals had to be thrown out when metal shavings were found inside dishes

39974368-9319315-image-a-21_1614742944560.jpg

The shocking conditions have sparked a group of bipartisan lawmakers to demand a new food vendor be brought in or for troops to be given a daily allowance to buy their own food

39974352-9319315-image-a-28_1614742998726.jpg

39974348-9319315-image-m-27_1614742991264.jpg
Raw beef (left) and a bad orange (right). Just some of the food the troops are fed while protecting the Capitol

39974364-9319315-image-a-17_1614748045391.jpg
Aside from the poor - and sometimes dangerous - quality, the sergeant said troops are not being given enough food, with breakfast some days consisting of just a dinner roll and Sunny D ahead of a 12-hour shift

The letter, led by Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga of Michigan's 2nd Congressional District, demanded the National Guard void its contract with the current food supplier and either find another or for a per diem to be provided to troops.

It was signed by Debbie Dingell, Tim Walberg, Brenda Lawrence, Jack Bergman, Haley Stevens, Fred Upton, Elissa Slotkin, John Moolenaar, Dan Kildee, Peter Meijer, Andy Levin, Lisa McClain and Rashida Tlaib.

The bipartisan group hit out at the 'unacceptable and inadequate quality of food' that had 'hospitalized' some troops.

'We understand that the decision was made to provide contracted meals to support the entire federal response stationed at the Capitol,' the letter read.

'However, it is clear that these contracted meals are poorly prepared, oftentimes inedible, and highly inadequate to support our soldiers. It is completely unacceptable that our men and women serving in Washington D.C. are being hospitalized due to the food they are being provided.

'As Representatives of these service members, we request that either the current contract be voided and a new food provider be brought in or that the service members be provided with a per diem throughout their remaining time in Washington, D.C.'

39974334-9319315-image-a-9_1614742609587.jpg

Members of the National Guard are seen on the East Front of the US Capitol Building on Capitol Hill Tuesday

39974330-9319315-image-a-52_1614743557144.jpg

Around 5,000 troops continue to guard the Capitol amid fears of a fresh siege as sources say there is intel of a militia plot to breach the Capitol on March 4

Rep. Bergman said troops don't expect a '5-star resort' but what they have been served with is 'an embarrassment'.

'After visiting with our Michigan Guard troops in DC, I have heard from many over the past 48 hours regarding additional issues of contaminated and undercooked food being served,' he said, per TV6.

'This is unacceptable. Our troops don't demand a 5-star resort or expensive food, but at a minimum, they deserve meals that are safe to consume.

'This is an embarrassment for all those responsible for the care of our troops, and must be met with full accountability.'

Bergman called for the guard members to leave DC altogether saying t is 'time to get our troops home to their families.'

The Michigan National Guard released a statement saying reports of undercooked and inadequate food was 'very concerning' and 'unacceptable.'

'The Michigan National Guard finds the reports of undercooked and poorly prepared food provided to our service members in Washington, D.C. very concerning. The firsthand accounts and pictures of undercooked food being served clearly shows that what is being given to Michigan's service members is unacceptable,' it read.

The guard said the issue was escalated to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer who called Acting Secretary of the Army John E. Whitley 'to communicate Michigan's concerns'.

'Other Michigan senior leaders also engaged at the highest levels of the federal government to inform those in charge and to ensure that they knew of our displeasure with the conditions. Every assurance was given that the issue would be addressed and corrected,' the statement said.

39974356-9319315-image-a-43_1614743156427.jpg

The Michigan National Guard released a statement saying reports of undercooked and inadequate food was 'very concerning' and 'unacceptable'

Whitmer raised concerns about the issue almost two weeks ago on February 17 and was told it was being resolved, her office said.

But further complaints have surfaced since.

DailyMail.com has contacted the DC National Guard for comment about how the issue is being resolved.

Guard officials said Tuesday they were working on the matter but insisted there had only been a small number of incidents where food was uncooked, no substantiated complaints about foreign objects in food and no cases of foodborne illness reported, reported Detroit News.

Lt. Col. Robert Carver said less than 0.01 percent of the 1.2 million meals provided between January 6 and February 18 were undercooked.

Carver said meals were being spot checked and kitchens examined but there was no 'substantial issues' found so far.

Nearly 26,000 National Guard troops were sent from all 50 states in the wake of the January 6 Capitol riot to support the Capitol Police as part of the Post Inaugural Security Mission.

The guard members from other states work under the command and control of the Washington DC National Guard, which made the decision that all troops would receive contracted meals.

The contract was awarded and is monitored by the National Guard Bureau, according to the Michigan National Guard.

Rep. Debbie Dingell said it is not just a problem affecting the Michigan guard members.

38337038-9319315-News_of_an_outbreak_comes_after_shocking_pictures_showed_up_to_5-a-46_1614743228147.jpg

Issues with the quality of food comes after a backlash in January when shocking photos showed thousands of Guardsmen forced to sleep on the floor of the packed Thurgood Marshall Building parking garage and in a park outside (above)

38336862-9319315-Insiders_described_a_failure_by_the_National_Guard_to_implement_-a-51_1614743261640.jpg

Insiders described a failure by the National Guard to implement coronavirus testing and social distancing protocols evenly across the board. Pictured up to 5,000 troops in the garage

38368352-9319315-National_Guard_troops_sleep_on_the_grass_on_the_eastern_front_of-a-44_1614743225295.jpg

National Guard troops sleep on the grass on the eastern front of the US Capitol in January

'It's not only a Michigan guard problem. I stop and talk to all the guard out there, and they said it's improved, but still far from perfect,' she said.

Thousands of troops have returned home already but around 4,900 remain in DC until at least March 12 at the request of the Capitol Police.

This includes 1,000 members from the Michigan National Guard. The agreed upon end date for their deployment is March 12.

Issues with the quality of food comes after a backlash in January when shocking photos showed thousands of Guardsmen forced to sleep on the floor of the packed Thurgood Marshall Building parking garage and in a park outside.

Images showed troops packed inside parking garages during their rest breaks with one unit of around 5,000 forced to sleep in one garage with just one bathroom between all of them.

Before being located to the parking lot, the troops had been allowed to take rest breaks inside the Capitol building.

The soldiers do have hotel rooms but their 12 hour shift pattern means they cannot easily return to their rooms during rest breaks.

They had been asked to leave the Capitol building and take their rest breaks in a nearby designated parking lot by a Capitol officer who did not have the authority to do so.

Capitol Police apologized later and said troops could return to the Capitol after some Guardsmen said they felt 'incredibly betrayed'.

Later that month it emerged up to 200 National Guard members had tested positive for COVID-19, while several hundred more were in quarantine in hotels after showing symptoms or being exposed to the virus.

Insiders described a failure by the National Guard to implement coronavirus testing and social distancing protocols evenly across the board, with some troops not being tested on arrival, some receiving only temperature checks and some told to cut short quarantine or skip it entirely in order to report for duty.

March 2, 2021

General Daniel R. Hokanson
Chief, National Guard Bureau
The Pentagon
Arlington, VA 20301


Dear General Hokanson:

Over the last few months, members of the Michigan National Guard have honorably served in support of the mission to provide security and assistance in and around the U.S. Capitol. These men and women have once again answered the call in service to both the state of Michigan and the United States.

Recently, there have been several reports regarding the poor quality of food that is being provided to these service members. Michigan National Guard members stationed in our nation’s capital have repeatedly and personally brought these concerns directly to our offices and to the leadership of the National Guard. These reports include meals being provided that are badly undercooked, raw, moldy, and even filled with metal shavings.

We understand that the decision was made to provide contracted meals to support the entire federal response stationed at the Capitol. However, it is clear that these contracted meals are poorly prepared, oftentimes inedible, and highly inadequate to support our soldiers. It is completely unacceptable that our men and women serving in Washington D.C are being hospitalized due to the food they are being provided. As Representatives of these service members, we request that either the current contract be voided and a new food provider be brought in or that the service members be provided with a per diem throughout their remaining time in Washington, D.C.

The members of the National Guard have served honorably throughout the duration of this operation. We must never turn our backs on our soldiers, especially as they have demonstrated time and time again that haven’t turned our backs on us.

Thank you for your service to our nation and we look forward to a prompt response.

Respectfully,

Rep. Bill Huizenga Member of Congress
Rep. Brenda L. Lawrence Member of Congress
Rep. Tim Walberg Member of Congress
Rep. Debbie Dingell Member of Congress
Rep. Jack Bergman Member of Congress
Rep. Daniel T. Kildee Member of Congress
Rep. John Moolenaar Member of Congress
Rep. Andy Levin Member of Congress
Rep. Fred Upton Member of Congress
Rep. Haley Stevens Member of Congress
Rep. Peter Meijer Member of Congress
Rep. Lisa McClain Member of Congress
Rep. Elissa Slotkin Member of Congress
Rep. Rashida Tlaib Member of Congress


Raw chicken and metal shavings: Poor food has hospitalized Michigan National Guard troops in DC | Daily Mail Online

I'm thinking that Biden and his administration used Trump people, under the guise that this is a new day. White people whiting (we is good cause we white). Same with Obama, then they got their asses kicked. The quality of people hired by them Trumps is not of the quality of an Obama or Bush administration. Sadly there are many Trump holdovers in the Biden administration. Blame the Senate for this (mostly) as they have refused to relinquish power.
 

ePIFFany

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This was done on purpose. They need to out the vendor because if they're bold enough to do this to our service men and women, then they're certainly bold enough to do this to everyday citizens.
 

NOEFinest

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If this was my contractor I would have cussed them out in email on the phone end through text.

for the poster saying to just go to Walmart and get lunchables, they can’t do that because you technically have to get food through and approved food source (I know ironic) and you can’t spend a certain amount on gpc or you have to write a contract. One person can’t use their gtc and purchase because they won’t get reimbursed.

to the poster that said well we spend all this money on defense, well Congress sets appropriations and if the money is set aside to buy a new building the military can’t say well i want to spend it on people. That’s a jailable offense
 
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Andi420

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This has republicans cheapness written ALL OVER IT. SuPPoRt tHe TrOoPs my ass. Support them as your human shields, that’s what these fools actually mean.
 

divanista

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The question is who got that contract and we’re they even qualified to fulfill such a big contract to begin with. This is absolutely unacceptable.
 

anaisnin

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Disgusting and unacceptable. That’s what you get for giving contracts to the lowest of the low and then removing all standards. There are some things that should be determined by the feds and not left to the state. This is why I’m so picky about where I get my dog’s food from because if it’s being made in some southern or Midwestern state almost always they have subpar standards and the food gets recalled.
 

Inana

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To say nothing of how gross this is, the sheer arrogance and stupidity of treating soldiers like this is unbelievable.

"See? This government doesn't care about you!!"
 

NOEFinest

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To say nothing of how gross this is, the sheer arrogance and stupidity of treating soldiers like this is unbelievable.

"See? This government doesn't care about you!!"
How is it saying the government doesn’t care? The government isn’t making the food and unless it’s reported to the people who are administering the contract how would they know? They reported it and not the co and cm have to do paperwork and the ktr has to give them an explanation of why it happened and how they plan on remedying the situation.
 

NOEFinest

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Disgusting and unacceptable. That’s what you get for giving contracts to the lowest of the low and then removing all standards. There are some things that should be determined by the feds and not left to the state. This is why I’m so picky about where I get my dog’s food from because if it’s being made in some southern or Midwestern state almost always they have subpar standards and the food gets recalled.
It’s not that they give contracts to the lowest of the low. Even in this thread people are talking about government spending. The government does lowest price technically acceptable which is what EVERYONE does when they go shopping. If the government just threw money and bought the most expensive item every time people would complain.
 

anaisnin

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It’s not that they give contracts to the lowest of the low. Even in this thread people are talking about government spending. The government does lowest price technically acceptable which is what EVERYONE does when they go shopping. If the government just threw money and bought the most expensive item every time people would complain.
Low prices usually mean low standards. Try to go for the lowest price with at bare minimum acceptable standards and regular inspections but republicans don’t allow inspections.
 

Jahshii

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Lmaooo and they want to charge us $300+ a month for this bs.

I’m glad I have dependents.
 

NOEFinest

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Low prices usually mean low standards. Try to go for the lowest price with at bare minimum acceptable standards and regular inspections but republicans don’t allow inspections.
You are absolutely right but until it’s identified how do we know it’s bad? Just like when you buy a used car or house. The owner pretties up the car/house, make sure it smells good and have good lighting when taking pics. They also do patch work of all the issues and hope you don’t do an inspection or the problems aren’t found. They cross their fingers and hope you’ll like the pretty outside and buy.
 

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This is so unacceptable!! Is no one doing quality checks on this damn this to insure its up to par?? I bet it was done on damn purpose!
 

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That was so stupid and unnecessary. The vendor should be banned from rebidding in the future. It’s a ton of vendors in DC, contracting in general is competitive and lucrative. They have no excuse to have not done better

Right!

Who's the vendor?

They sure are protecting their name because I can't seem to find it.
 

MissClavel

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Seems like National Guardsmen don’t get the same respect as the other services.
 
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EXCLUSIVE: Catering company that served 'moldy and undercooked food' to National Guard troops protecting Capitol admits it 'made some mistakes' and invites DailyMail.com into kitchen to show how it's cleaned up its act
  • Phil Sardelis, the owner of Sardi's Catering, invited DailyMail.com into his kitchen at the company headquarters in College Park, Maryland
  • Sardi's is contracted to supply meals for National Guard troops currently protecting the Capitol, where they were deployed after the January 6 riot
  • Last week, at least 50 service members on deployment were reported to have become ill, with some even being hospitalized after consuming poorly prepared food supplied by Sardi's
  • Soldiers blew the whistle on the sub-par meals by sharing photos of pink chicken, uncooked beef and moldy food online that quickly went viral
  • Sardelis told DailyMail.com his company 'made some mistakes and it's not acceptable', and revealed it has put further quality controls in place
  • 'I strive for perfection and for me one bad meal is unacceptable. I own it, it was our fault and we can only make sure it won't happen again,' he said
  • DailyMail.com observed employees taking the temperature of food at various stages of the packaging process, to make sure it's above 140F degrees
  • Sardelis said if the food isn't consumed or refrigerated within a four-hour time frame that is written on the box, it's to be discarded
  • In DC, Trump supporter Richard Potcner, 40, has also teamed up with the owner of Pete's Diner, Gum Tong, to provide hot meals and care packages to service members who complained about the food
40250128-9342411-Phil_Sardelis_the_owner_of_Sardi_s_Catering_invited_DailyMail_co-a-2_1615310240776.jpg

Phil Sardelis, the owner of Sardi's Catering, invited DailyMail.com into his kitchen at the headquarters in College Park, Maryland

The owner of the Maryland catering company that supplies meals to the National Guard protecting the US Capitol says he has nothing to hide after dozens of service members reportedly became sick from eating 'undercooked' food.

Phil Sardelis, the owner of Sardi's Catering invited DailyMail.com into his kitchen at the corporate headquarters in College Park to see how meals are prepared and precautions taken.

The visit comes after at least 50 soldiers reportedly became ill last week, with some even being hospitalized after consuming tainted food provided by the catering service.

'I'm not going to make any excuses, we made some mistakes and it's not acceptable,' Sardelis told DailyMail.com.

Sardelis said he has served more than 1.5million meals to soldiers and admitted approximately 100 of them were undercooked.

'I strive for perfection and for me one bad meal is unacceptable. I own it, it was our fault and we can only make sure it won't happen again.'

Sardelis' kitchen runs 24 hours a day seven days a week, serving 5,000 meals three times a day to soldiers, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

At one point he was putting out 60,000 meals a day when there were more soldiers deployed at the Capitol.

40250156-9342411-Food_safety_first_DailyMail_com_observed_food_service_workers_pa-a-3_1615310240779.jpg

Food safety first: DailyMail.com observed food service workers packaging meals for the service members following last week's incident

40250234-9342411-A_woman_is_seen_using_a_food_thermometer_to_ensure_the_temperatu-a-7_1615310240784.jpg

A woman is seen using a food thermometer to ensure the temperature of the chicken had reached the appropriate temperature for consumption

40250134-9342411-Employees_at_the_catering_service_checked_the_doneness_of_the_me-a-4_1615310240781.jpg

Employees at the catering service checked the doneness of the meat by making sure it was above 140 degrees Fahrenheit

'When reports came back to us in mid-February there were some undercooked meals and metal shavings in the food, we got together with the National Guard and put further quality controls in place,' Sardelis said. 'Needless to say I wasn't happy about hearing this news.'

While Sardelis admits some meals may have been undercooked, he disputes the numbers that have been reported in the press.

'We serve dark meat, which is more flavorful and doesn't get overcooked as easily as white meat. When you cook dark meat it retains a greater percentage of myoglobin which converts to an iron form when cooked. This is where the pink color appears, it looks undercooked but actually is cooked.'

To illustrate this, Sardelis supplied a video of stewed meat that was taken out of a boiling pot, with a food thermometer that showed 170 degree temperature. The piece of meat was then pulled apart and it clearly showed some of the meat was pink, even though it was fully cooked.

Representatives of the National Guard come out to his kitchen every day and inspect and take the temperature of the cooked food to make sure it's up to standard.

'We randomly check the temperature of about 20 per cent of the food as it's being put into individual containers, just to make sure it's above 140 degrees.

40250160-9342411-Sardelis_admitted_that_while_some_of_the_food_was_undercooked_it-a-8_1615310240867.jpg

Sardelis admitted that while some of the food was undercooked, it was only a fraction of the thousands of meals they serve daily

40250194-9342411-Pictured_is_a_National_Guardsman_inspecting_food_preparation_at_-a-9_1615310240870.jpg

Pictured is a National Guardsman inspecting food preparation at this Sardi's location in College Park, Maryland

40250190-9342411-Sardelis_said_the_cooked_meals_are_put_into_a_box_and_labeled_wi-a-10_1615310240871.jpg

Sardelis said the cooked meals are put into a box and labeled with the time and temperature, with a four-hour disposal time

'The "metal shavings" that have been reported to be found in the chicken, may have come from a scouring pad, so we've removed them from our cooking area.'

But Sardelis said he's dumbfounded on how the metal pieces ended up on some of the chicken since they are cooked on a rotating spit.

While at the catering company, DailyMail.com observed employees taking the temperature of food at various stages of the packaging process, to make sure it's above 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

All of his employees wore masks and plastic disposable gloves when handling or near the food.

Sardelis said the cooked meals are put into a box and labeled with the time and temperature of the food with a four-hour disposal time.

The meals are then loaded onto a truck for the 20 miles journey to the DC Armory, where it's distributed to various National Guard troops.

Sardelis said if the food isn't consumed or refrigerated within a four-hour time frame that is written on the box, it's to be discarded.

'After it's dropped off at the DC Armory the food is out of our control,' added Sardelis.

40250180-9342411-The_meals_are_then_loaded_onto_a_truck_for_the_20_miles_journey_-a-12_1615310240877.jpg

The meals are then loaded onto a truck for the 20 miles journey to the DC Armory, where it's distributed to various National Guard troops

40250140-9342411-Some_of_the_dishes_the_troops_can_choose_from_include_Beef_Bourg-a-13_1615310240878.jpg

40250092-9342411-Sardelis_kitchen_runs_24_hours_a_day_seven_days_a_week_serving_5-a-11_1615310240875.jpg

Some of the dishes the troops can choose from include: Beef Bourguignon, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken cacciatore, salmon, cheeseburgers, penne rose, and chicken burrito bowls

40250212-9342411-Pictured_above_is_a_prepared_salmon_dish_that_was_cooked_to_166_-a-14_1615310241002.jpg

Pictured above is a prepared salmon dish that was cooked to 166.8F degrees

40250228-9342411-Pictured_above_is_the_penne_rosa_with_a_side_of_vegetables_and_a-a-15_1615310241016.jpg

Pictured above is the penne rosa with a side of vegetables and a dinner roll, prepared by Sardi's

'We are proud of the product we've supplied to our soldiers. We change our menu every day and offer vegan and vegetarian dishes.'

Some of the dishes the troops can choose from include: Beef Bourguignon, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken cacciatore, salmon rose, cheeseburgers, penne rosa, and chicken burrito bowls.

'We've put out over a million meals to the soldiers. I think we've done a good job and supplied a good product. We are constantly trying to improve, there is always room for improvement.'

Sardelis who has an $11.4million dollar food contract with the National Guard that expires on March 15 says he would like to continue providing meals to the soldiers.

But it won't happen if Senator Gary Peters, a Democrat from Michigan and the 14 members of the Michigan House delegation have anything to say about it.

The lawmakers are calling for the service to terminate the contract with the company providing food to Michigan National Guard members in Washington D.C. and provide soldiers with a per diem instead.

A source told DailyMail.com that this per diem would amount to at least $76 per day, per soldier.

40250142-9342411-Michigan_Governor_Gretchen_Whitmer_released_a_statement_saying_M-a-18_1615310241046.jpg

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer released a statement saying Michigan National Guard members on deployment at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. will come home after March 12 when the current mission is scheduled to end

Last week it was reported that members of the Michigan National Guard complained they have been forced to eat raw chicken, moldy bread and meals containing metal shavings while they remain on guard in Washington DC protecting the US Capitol from attack.

They shared photos of pink chicken, uncooked beef and moldy food with lawmakers and online while one staff sergeant revealed dozens of meals had to be thrown out when metal shavings were found inside dishes.

But media relations officer with the National Guard Bureau of Public Affairs, Major Matt Murphy, and USAF told this DailyMail.com,

'Of the more than 1.2million meals served, approximately 50 soldiers have been treated for gastrointestinal complaints. Six of them were treated as outpatients at military treatment facilities; others were handled at aid station set up as part of the Task Force.

'In the event a Soldier or Airman feels they've received a meal where they deem something is wrong, it is discarded and they get a replacement. If they still have concerns, they have MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) available.

40250158-9342411-Sardelis_who_has_an_11_4million_dollar_food_contract_with_the_Na-a-20_1615310241140.jpg

Sardelis who has an $11.4million dollar food contract with the National Guard that expires on March 15 says he would like to continue providing meals to the soldiers

'The National Guard Bureau is continuing with the current food service contract and the vendor.'

Major Murphy also added that the complaints about the food came from guardsmen from two states including Michigan, but there have been no cases of foodborne illness reported, meaning there has been no proof that the undercooked food caused any issues with the soldiers.

The Michigan National Guard has approximately 1,000 out of the more than 5,000 soldiers who have been deployed to Washington, DC.

Last Thursday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer released a statement saying Michigan National Guard members on deployment at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. will come home after March 12 when the current mission is scheduled to end.

Sardelis added that he received another report on Sunday that a member of the Michigan National Guard found a metal shaving on his donut that was in his meal for breakfast. He was later told it was a piece of aluminum foil.

He provided DailyMail.com with pictures on how he receives the donuts from a third party supplier. He doesn't know how a piece of 'metal' ended up on the outside of a donut.

Sardelis said he doesn't know what to say about the latest accusation.

'I have nothing hide, we provide a quality product,' said Sardelis.

Catering company says it has 'nothing to hide' after National Guard got sick from 'undercooked' food | Daily Mail Online
 

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