Maggots found on juice cartons delivered to schools, district says. ‘It’s disgusting’

Shipments of beverages delivered to Pennsylvania schools were contaminated with maggots and egg larvae, according to the district.

Joseph Roy, superintendent of the Bethlehem Area School District, said five schools were affected by the issue, according to a letter sent to parents on Monday, Feb. 6. The number of schools impacted was corrected to four, according to local media reports.

Larvae and maggot activity was observed on crates and pallets. Additionally, maggots were seen “attached to the exterior of drink cartons” on some student trays, leading the district to throw away beverage shipments to all 22 schools, Roy said in the letter.

“It’s disgusting, and we don’t expect that to be anywhere near the products that are delivered to us,” Roy told The Morning Call.

No students or faculty members got sick from the contaminated juices, the superintendent said, according to The Morning Call.

The shipments were delivered by Lehigh Valley Dairy Farms, and the district will no longer use its products, according to WFMZ.

“An investigation is underway to determine the source of the reported insect activity,” the company said in a statement. “Based on the findings of our investigation, we will take appropriate corrective actions as necessary.”

The school district “will make adjustments with quality assurance” for future food and beverage deliveries, Roy told Lehigh Valley Live.