Skopje, 9 October 2024 (МIА) -- The Army's contract for catering services with the company that provided meals that left 60 army members ill with food poisoning has been terminated, Minister of Defense Vlado Misajlovski told a press conference Wednesday.

Minister Misajlovski said the decision was not political but based on the opinion of a committee formed of representatives from the Ministry of Defense, the Army, and the Army's General Staff. 

The committee had reviewed reports, found food safety flaws, and recommended the agreement be terminated, the defense minister said.

"The contract has been terminated in line with all legal regulations," Misajlovski said. "The most important thing, for me, is that the army's combat readiness is not lowered and that each army member is safe."

He said all army members and ministry staff were to receive food allowance in line with the army's collective agreement.

Misajlovski was speaking at a press conference held to mark the government's first 100 days in power.

He said over 60 army members were struck with food poisoning from eating the food catered at the army canteens. He said health inspectors had found surfaces contaminated with bacteria during a sanitation inspection, and the catering company was cited for health violations.

But the caterer failed to correct the unsanitary conditions and the contract had to be terminated, Misajlovski said.

Going forward, he said, the Ministry of Defense would either publish a tender for a new catering company or food allowance would continue to be paid to soldiers and staff from the national budget.

"We will do what the majority of army members and employees request," the defense minister said. mr/