Democrats seek inquiry on expired food in Iraq

By DAVID IVANOVICH
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - Senate Democrats on Wednesday called for an investigation into allegations that Halliburton Co. served food that had passed its expiration date by as much as a year to U.S. troops in Iraq.

Rory Mayberry, a former food production manager for Halliburton subsidiary KBR, told lawmakers last month that when outdated food arrived, "we were told by KBR food service mangers to use these items anyway."

He also said food packages damaged in insurgent attacks were still used "after removing the bullets and any shrapnel from the bad food that was hit."

In a letter to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, 28 Democrats called for a formal probe, noting: "We trust you will find this testimony as alarming as we do."

Halliburton spokeswoman Cathy Mann noted that the Army's Preventive Maintenance Division inspects KBR's dining halls monthly, checking on expiration
dates.

"If at any point food is deemed unfit to serve, KBR follows the government-approved ... procedures to destroy it," Mann said.

Mann said KBR officials routinely receive positive comments throughout Iraq
on the quality of the food served.