November 13, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
91社区 is committed to ensuring that food served in our dining halls is safe and that students, faculty and staff can enjoy the meals they receive with confidence. Sodexo is the University鈥檚 contracted dining provider, and we are holding Sodexo firmly accountable for meeting all health and safety standards in all of our dining locations.
In partnership with Sodexo and third-party experts, we are taking immediate and ongoing steps to strengthen food safety and respond quickly to concerns.
Why is the University taking additional steps on food safety?
Recent concerns raised by the campus community have underscored the importance of visible, proactive food safety practices. While routine safety protocols have always been in place, the University is accelerating and expanding oversight to:
- Increase independent monitoring of food preparation and service
- Respond more quickly to complaints and concerns
- Ensure that Sodexo meets or exceeds all health and safety standards
Our goal is to protect the health of our community and increase confidence in campus dining.
What immediate actions are being taken?
The University and Sodexo are implementing several immediate measures:
- Deployment of food safety specialists
- Sodexo is assigning two food safety specialists to 91社区.
- The first specialist will arrive November 13.
- A second specialist will be on campus every day next week, monitoring food service and preparation.
- Accelerated third-party health inspection
- A third-party health inspector, originally scheduled to visit during the first week of December, will now conduct inspections as soon as possible.
- The University will share inspection dates with the campus once they are confirmed.
- Expedited pest prevention services
- Routine and standard pest prevention services are being moved up and will be on campus Nov. 14 to conduct a comprehensive review and treatment, if necessary.
- Internal audit by Sodexo
- Sodexo will conduct an internal audit of food safety procedures this week.
- The results of this audit will be reported to the University and the Student Culinary Council.
- Increased University oversight
- University specialists in food safety and Environmental Health and Safety will be present in dining halls.
- They will observe Sodexo staff, monitor third-party inspectors and service providers, and conduct their own spot checks against University and regulatory standards.
Who are the food safety specialists and what will they do?
The Sodexo food safety specialists are professionals trained in:
- Hazard analysis and critical control points
- Safe food storage, cooking and holding temperatures
- Sanitation and cross-contamination prevention
On campus, they will:
- Review kitchen practices and prep areas
- Observe meal service
- Provide on-the-spot coaching and retraining for staff
- Work with University officials to address any issues
What is the role of the third-party health inspector?
The third-party health inspector provides independent, external verification of Sodexo鈥檚 compliance with:
- Local and state health codes
- Industry best practices for food safety and sanitation
The inspector will:
- Conduct on-site inspections of dining halls and food prep areas
- Document any violations or areas needing improvement
- Share findings with the University and Sodexo for prompt follow-up
The University will communicate key outcomes and next steps to the campus community once inspections are completed.
How is the University monitoring these efforts?
University specialists in food safety and Environmental Health and Safety will:
- Regularly visit dining halls
- Observe Sodexo鈥檚 operations and staff practices
- Accompany or review findings from third-party inspectors and pest control vendors
- Conduct spot checks on temperatures, storage, and sanitation practices
Their findings will inform any additional corrective or preventive actions taken by the University.
How can I report a food safety concern?
If you encounter undercooked food or food with a potential safety concern
- Tell a manager or Sodexo staff member immediately
- Bring the food item to a manager or Sodexo staff person on site.
- This helps the University and Sodexo verify the problem and take immediate action to stop similar items from being served.
- Text the appropriate dining hall
- Each dining hall has posted information for a text feedback line.
- Look for signage at the entrance, near the check-out, or in the seating area and follow the instructions to your concern.
- Include the location, time, food item, and a brief description of the issue.
- Document the issue, if possible
- If you are comfortable, you may take a photo of the food and share it with the manager on site.
- If you post to social media, please inform Sodexo as well via text.
What happens after I report a food safety issue?
When you report a concern:
- Dining staff will remove the affected item from service, if appropriate.
- Sodexo and University staff will investigate the incident, including reviewing preparation procedures and speaking with staff.
- The issue will be logged and reviewed as part of broader food safety monitoring program.
- You will be offered the opportunity to receive a credit or replacement for the improperly prepared food.
Will I be reimbursed if I receive unsafe or improperly prepared food?
Yes. If you are served undercooked food or food with other safety concerns:
- Report it to a manager immediately or via the feedback text system.
- You will have the opportunity to receive a credit for your purchase and/or a replacement meal, in accordance with dining policies.
How will the Student Culinary Council be involved?
The University will:
- Share the results of inspections, audits, and validated complaints with the Student Culinary Council.
- Invite the Council to provide feedback and recommendations based on student experiences.
- Use this feedback to shape ongoing improvements in food safety and overall dining quality.
How will the University hold Sodexo accountable?
The University鈥檚 contract with Sodexo includes performance expectations for food safety and service quality. The University will:
- Review inspection reports, internal audits, and complaint trends with Sodexo leadership
- Require immediate corrective action plans where improvements are needed
- Enforce contractual remedies if Sodexo fails to meet agreed-upon standards
Our priority is ensuring safe, high-quality dining for our campus community.
Where can I find updates on food safety actions and results?
The University will:
- Provide periodic updates on inspections, audits and major corrective actions on official University channels (this web-page, B-Line News).
- Share detailed updates with the Student Culinary Council.
Students are encouraged to check University communications for the most recent information.
Can I feel safe eating in the Campus Dining hall. What should I know?
We understand that food safety concerns can be unsettling. However, the University has only one verified instance of undercooked chicken on November 9th. That was followed up by two clean reports from the Broome County Health Inspector.
In response, the University and Sodexo has:
- Deployed additional food safety specialists
- Accelerated third-party inspections and pest prevention services
- Increased on-site oversight by University experts
- Created and promoted a feedback text line and clear reporting process
We encourage you to continue using the dining halls and to report any concerns immediately through the proper channels so that we can respond quickly and appropriately.