Some Henrico Co. Schools Will Get New Milk Delivery Monday

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) - Milk deliveries resumed at Henrico schools Monday morning, after Henrico County school officials announced Sunday night that a new source would provide milk to some schools.

Henrico School Nutrition Services says they've made arrangements with a new provider. Schools that have the highest demand for milk services during breakfast and lunch will be getting milk.

They hope to have milk delivered to all 72 schools and program centers by the end of the week.

This all started this past Wednesday after students started feeling sick at school. It was later confirmed the cartons of Marva Maid milk had spoiled before the expiration date.

It was on Wednesday afternoon that we had four kids at an elementary school who complained of illnesses, had nausea-like symptoms, said Andy Jenks, HCPS director of communications and public relations. It became apparent shortly after that that there was a funny smell and taste to the milk.

After the four initial complaints, 10 more were made to the Henrico County Health Department. The agency began investigating immediately.

I know that we havent identified any storage issues at the Henrico County Public Schools said Health Director Susan Fischer Davis.

Marva Maid Dairys internal investigation, however, did turn up something. The company tested the milk from that date of production in its lab and found it had spoiled. A spokesperson for the company also said a valve issue at a Norfolk processing plant had taken place the day the milk in question was put into cartons, and that this could increase bacteria growth in the product. Marva Maid Dairy didnt feel it was a big enough issue to recall the milk.

In a written statement, Marva Maid Dary said: A number of factors can contribute to milk spoiling before its expiration date. The most common cause is lack of proper refrigeration, which puts added stress on milk and makes it more perishable.

Stay with 8News on air and online for updates on this developing story.

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Some Henrico Co. Schools Will Get New Milk Delivery Monday