State Says OC Jail Food 'Fit For Human Consumption' After Complaints

SANTA ANA, CA — A surprise inspection by state investigators could not find any proof to back up allegations that the Orange County Jail served cold, moldy and rotten food to inmates, the county Sheriff's Department announced Monday.

Officials from the California Board of State and Community Corrections found the Orange County Jail's "food storage systems are appropriate and that items being served are fit for human consumption," according to an April 6 memo from the agency sent to the Sheriff's Department.

The agency said it made unannounced inspections on March 17 and 18 after the Southern California chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union contacted the board about food conditions in the jail.

The ACLU and a coalition of other organizations released a report in December about meals served to inmates and concluded that they had not been given hot food in the last two years.

Instead, inmates were served "cold and frequently moldy or rotting bologna sandwiches for every meal," the report said.

The report argued that the meals given to inmates offered "poor nutrition and contain excessive levels of sodium."

But the Board of State and Community Corrections' inspection found "hot meal components are included in meal service."

"The kitchen facilities were clean, orderly, well-stocked and contained food items that were consistent with grocery store standards appearing edible, without mold or a rotten appearance from a consumer perspective," the agency said.

The Board of State and Community Corrections said it will continue to monitor the food given to inmates and will conduct a follow-up inspection sometime this month.

"The findings from BSCC after an unannounced inspection show exactly what we have said time and time again, we provide nutritionally balanced and healthy meals that meet or exceed requirements for incarcerated persons entrusted to our care," Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said.

An ACLU spokesperson told the Orange County Register the lack of violations shouldn't be seen as a win by the sheriff's department. Sarah Kahn said the "technical language" used by the state agency doesn't provide the whole story.

She told the Register the bologna sandwiches would still be considered "fit for human consumption," and a bowl of oatmeal or broth falls under a "hot food component."