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TIGARD, Ore. — The Tigard-Tualatin School District is facing a lawsuit of nearly $1 million after pretzels contaminated with oven cleaner were served to more than 50 sixth graders at Fowler Middle School in Tigard.
The incident occurred a year ago, and police later closed their investigation without criminal charges.
The lawsuit was filed on September 9 in the Washington County Circuit Court by a family seeking up to $950,220.85. Some of their claims include negligence, violation of civil rights, and unlawful confinement. The complaint names the school district, the school principal Cindy Pellicci, and the lead kitchen worker accused of seasoning the pretzels with oven cleaner.
About 37 Pretzels Were Coated With Oven Cleaner
The incident occurred on October 20, 2025. According to the lawsuit, about 37 pretzels were coated with crushed Alto-Shaam concentrated oven cleaner, a caustic product containing sodium hydroxide.
The lawsuit centers around a student identified only as L.L., who allegedly experienced burning in his mouth and throat. The student also experienced chest pain, an upset stomach, and suffers from anxiety about eating at school.
The lawsuit alleges that L.L. was examined and monitored without the knowledge of his parents, kept in a room for about an hour, and then sent back to the classroom after staff announced that he was asymptomatic.
The lawsuit claims the school took 27 minutes after staff realized what had happened to contact Poison Control and nearly two hours before contacting the families of the children involved in the incident.
Further allegations are that the school failed to store the oven cleaner away from the food preparation area, failed to train staff on the handling of caustic chemicals, and left the oven cleaner on a prep counter, which was later used as seasoning.
Tigard Police closed the investigation after failing to establish probable cause that a crime had been committed.
School District Says the Incident Was Unintentional
Weeks later, the school sent an email about an investigation into the incident by an outside attorney, stating that the contamination was unintentional and the result of ‘human error.’ According to the district’s account, Washington County Health and Human Services did not establish sanitation violations. Seven staff members were interviewed.
The school district has since implemented corrective actions, including staff training and ensuring the separation of cleaning products from food preparation areas.
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