NJ Troops Get Food Poisoning at Capitol; Congressman Wants Caterer Fired

After 30 members of the New Jersey National Guard got food poisoning while on duty in Washington, D.C., a state congressman is calling on the food service company to be fired and investigated.

The issue came to light when a Michigan National Guard staff sergeant told Detroit's WXYZ-TV that metal shavings and undercooked food was found in 75 meals that made some guard members sick. The undercooked food sent a dozen soldiers to a hospital, the staff sergeant told WXYZ.

The Michigan National Guard in a statement to WXYX said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was assured by Acting Secretary of the Army John E. Whitney that the issue would be "addresses and corrected."

In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J. 4th District, said that some members of the New Jersey National Guard vomited in the Senate parking lot after being similar "tainted and unhealthy food" served to the Michigan Guard.

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"It is my understanding that Sardi's Catering currently has the contract for food service. This contract should be voided and a new provider of food needs to be found immediately. Furthermore the provision of this food, whether intentional or not, warrants a through investigation," Smith wrote in his letter.

He said that members of the Guard from New Jersey and elsewhere assigned to Washington "deserve meals that are absolutely safe and healthful."

ABC News reported that two U.S. officials confirmed that Capitol police request the National Guard continue to have a presence in Washington for another 60 days. Members from around the country have been on duty since the insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6. 300 members from New Jersey are still part of 5,200 Guard members from around the country.

Spokesmen for Smith's office and the New Jersey National Guard did not immediately return messages on Thursday afternoon.