More fear than harm for children from Bobigny leisure centers, who ate this Wednesday in the canteen. By contemplating the gratin of chard that was served at them at noon, schoolchildren noticed an intriguing presence: small golden verses drowned in their gratin of chard. In total, the same discovery was made in six school restaurants.

Invertebrates had slipped into their meal. Analysis made, it was concluded that the intruders had all the characteristics of a “flour worm”, said the city of Bobigny. “Six reports have come back from the six Bobigny offices: Cachin, Valbon, Vaillant, Varlin, Tesson, Michel. »»

In a communication last October, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), specifies that “flour worms can be consumed without danger, whole or powder”. They actually come from the larva of a beetle, the Meunier Ténébrion who likes all flours from cereal products. The Meunier Tenebrion (Dark molitor) is very present in warehouses, silos, bakeries but does not disdain the cupboards of our kitchens which contain flours of all kinds.

A batch of flour used for Béchamel

This situation qualified “exceptional” by the City of Bobigny led to a further survey of the Hygiene and Food Safety Service, which was immediately alerted. He identified the origin of the Baby: “It would be an isolated contamination on a batch of flour used during the manufacture of the Béchamel sauce which accompanies the gratin of chard. »»

Investigations were launched with the grocery supplier and the Siresco. This intercommunal union for collective catering makes more than 30,000 meals for Bobigny canteens every day. “Le Parisien” could not reach him this Wednesday evening.

“All flour stocks have been checked,” adds the city. We can guarantee that no anomaly has been noted. A technician from our Agrobio microbiological analysis laboratory came to recover a control dish for analysis. An internal non-compliance sheet for our services has been opened in order to understand and set up corrective actions. »»