Food fears heat up over Meals on Wheels changes

SMALL portions of "bland slop” and dry, sauce-free meals pose health risks likened to "elder abuse”, according to a Sunshine Coast carer.

SOUR TASTE: Shirley Carnegie, 92, has noticed a drop in the quality of food from Meals on Wheels after a Brisbane-based provider took over preparation. Picture: Warren Lynam

SMALL portions of "bland slop” and dry, sauce-free meals pose health risks likened to "elder abuse”, according to a Sunshine Coast carer.

Ian Carnegie's mother Shirley, 92, receives a Meals on Wheels lunch every day, but said the quality had declined in the weeks since Brisbane-based caterer The Contented Chef took over preparation.

Mr Carnegie, who has a background in aged care, fears what he considers poor-quality food could lead to malnutrition, dehydration and a range of medical problems, possibly even death.

Shirley is one of about 200 Sunshine Coast customers Suncare CEO Russell Mason assured would receive "more menu choice” after the transition, though yesterday he acknowledged a number of "teething issues” had presented early on.

Mr Carnegie was not alone in his complaints about portion size, food quality and cold food.

Mr Mason said Suncare had apologised, was working to rectify the situation and had offered a $100 credit to all impacted Suncare accounts as compensation.

Mr Mason assured food had always been prepared to the Meals on Wheels national meal guidelines, and though they were now smaller, the previous portions exceeded recommendations.

A Contented Chef spokesperson said they prepared its food in accordance to the Australia Food Safety Certification program, before they are supplied in bulk to Meals on Wheels Maroochydore to be re-packaged and distributed.

The switch has led to six voluntary redundancies across Suncoast, including Hamish and Arna Ogg who were "farewelled” from the Maroochydore kitchen earlier this month.

Mr Mason said the Contented Chef partnership intended to provide a better service for customers and reach their clients in Gympie, Bundaberg, Gladstone and Rockhampton who currently can't access Meals on Wheels.

He added they churn out 10,000 meals a day and therefore had more purchasing power than Suncare, who prepared about 200.

Despite being a key influence in Suncare's decision, Mr Carnegie said they hadn't seen the benefits of "greater variety” as his mother has received macaroni cheese twice, and quiche three times this week.

Mr Mason explained some meals were limited due to customer specifications, but come September they should have a full range of food options including chilled and frozen meals for weekends.

But Mr Carnegie said more needed to be done to ensure food was safe for the elderly.

He said the lack of gravy and sauce on meals could pose a choking hazard or worse should the food go down the wrong pipe, sit on the lung and get infected.

Former Meals on Wheels volunteer Pauline Clayton added her voice to the outrage that meals were being driven up from Brisbane, rather than delivered fresh from the kitchen.

"Frankly I am appalled,” she said.

Mr Mason said if there were any issues with transportation from Brisbane, they had more than one-day's supply on-hand, and could cook fresh on site if required.