Best before …

Every year we took a school trip to Barcelona by coach. It was a 24 hour journey. Not the most comfortable, but always worth the effort. At the end of the week’s we allowed the children to do a little shopping for family presents etc before departing for home. Prior to their one-hour shopping spree the children were offered sage advice about not spending all their money as they will need some for food and drink for the 24 hour return journey. At the end of the hour we rounded the children up from the agreed meeting spot, ready to begin the long journey home. Whilst walking with a group of children, one started telling me about all the gifts he’d got his family. Worried about his need for food and drink on the way home, I asked him if he had any money left. “No, I won’t need any” he said “because I’ve got my sandwiches”. “What sandwiches” I asked. “The egg ones my mum made me for the journey out here which I haven’t eaten yet.” Feeling suddenly quite queasy I said “Whatever you do, do NOT eat those sandwiches otherwise you’ll get food poisoning”. On producing out of his bag the mouldiest, smelliest egg sandwiches you have ever seen he said “I’d better throw them away then”.   

One case of salmonella averted and note to speak with Food Tech teacher on return.