Shakira WarrenYou’re running late for class. You don’t have time to eat.
You see a vending machine in the Farrison-Newton Communications Building.
You see a refrigerated pizza.
You fork out $2.50 to pay for it … and to your disgust it’s molded.
“I was really grossed out by the mold, it wasn’t noticeable until you walked by the machine,” said Mass communication junior Tia Mitchell. “I think it’s a problem for students to buy that food.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, molds are fungi that can be found both indoors and out.
They grow in warm, damp, and humid conditions and tend to spread and reproduce.
The CDC said there are thousands of species of fungi, some harmful and some not.
One of the vending machines located in the communications building had outdated Tony’s refrigerated food pizzas, chicken sandwiches, pre-made sandwiches and milk.
The expiration date on the food was Dec 28, and the food was purchased Feb. 8th. Two other refrigerated vending machines are located in the Law school and the Nursing school.
NCCU has a contract with Canteen, a national vending machine operating company offering vending, office coffee service and dining services through a company and franchise network of over 200 locations in 48 states, according to their website.
The University receives 20% commission of the sales of the items being sold. NCCU has been in contract with Canteen for five years.
JT Lynch, a representative from Canteen said they send someone on route to NCCU once a week to ensure that the foods in the vending machines are fresh and restocked.
Timothy Moore, NCCU Director of Business & Auxiliaries said it was “unacceptable” and “not allowed” for the molded food to be in the machines. He said it compromised food safety.
“It’s their machine, their responsibility,” said Moore. “They are regulated to keep the machines stocked.”
Moore spoke with the Regional Manager at Canteen Vending, and he said the manager will be taking the appropriate personnel action to address the out-of- product date issue with their employee that was responsible for keeping the food vending machine not only stocked, but also stocked with in date or unexpired products.
According to Moore, there are 80 vending machines across the campus, half of them are snack and half of them are drink machines.
As of Feb. 11, all expired items have been removed and the machine is restocked with new and fresh items.
