What started as a routine lunch at Robert L. Vale Middle School turned worrisome on Wednesday, when eleven students landed in the nurse's office after drinking milk that was later discovered to be partially past its expiration date.
The campus nurse evaluated all eleven students, and Northside ISD officials said no other campuses reported students feeling sick. The district's Child Nutrition department has opened an internal review and notified public health authorities while the school figures out what happens next.
In a statement, the district said, "Vale MS and NISD Child Nutrition staff are investigating an issue of expired milk being served at the campus today," confirming that the nurse saw a total of eleven students who reported feeling unwell. The district added that only part of the milk inventory at the school was past its expiration date and that no other Northside ISD schools were affected. Those details were provided by KABB/FOX San Antonio.
What Texas Rules Require
According to guidance from the Texas Department of State Health Services, milk is treated as a time and temperature control for safety food. It must be date-marked when opened and tossed once it is past its use-by date. Those rules, along with strict temperature requirements for perishable dairy, are what local health inspectors will use as the standard in their review, according to Texas DSHS.
District Response and Local Context
Vale Middle is a Northside ISD campus on the city's north side, according to NISD. The Child Nutrition department said it has launched an investigation into the expired milk incident.
Northside has had to field milk complaints before. In September 2024, the district temporarily pulled strawberry milk while it looked into reports that the product tasted off, as reported by KSAT.
What Parents Should Watch For
Parents whose children feel sick after eating or drinking at school are advised to contact the campus nurse or their pediatrician. Public health officials may follow up with families and the district as part of their inspection, and the Child Nutrition team will decide on any additional steps once that review is complete.
The district says its investigation is ongoing, and public health authorities will determine whether further action is needed. This story will be updated if Northside ISD or the health department releases new information.
