Middle School Students Served Pretzels Covered With Oven Cleaner

Fowler Middle School in Tigard, Oregon, confirmed that students were mistakenly served pretzels sprinkled with oven cleaner during a sixth-grade lunch on Monday (October 20). According to school officials, the oven cleaner was in granular form and was accidentally applied to the pretzels, affecting 37 students.

The school contacted the Oregon Poison Control Center for guidance. The center advised that the oven cleaner could cause a burning sensation or vomiting if ingested in significant amounts. Affected students were instructed to rinse their mouths, eat bland foods, and monitor symptoms for 24 hours.

In an email to families, the school expressed regret over the incident, stating, "We are sorry this happened. All of us at Fowler and across the District are dedicated to the well-being of our students."

Parents, including Kianna Bell and Kaylee Spiering, expressed concerns about the lack of immediate communication and demanded accountability. Spiering, whose son experienced a burning throat and stomach pain told KOIN "There were kids crying. There were ones that looked worse."

The school is investigating how the contamination occurred. The oven cleaner was mistaken for salt after being crushed and left on a counter. The Tigard Police are assisting in the investigation, though no criminal intent is suspected. School officials are reviewing safety protocols to prevent future incidents.