Many parents have reported to Lao Dong Newspaper that they are not comfortable when the school hires a cooking unit that does not have a food safety certificate.
The meal provider is An Thinh Consulting and Trading Service Joint Stock Company - Hoa Binh Branch.
There are still different opinions about the quality of the meals, so we will not consider it for now. But the fact that a unit without a food safety certificate was hired to cook for nearly 1,000 students does not ensure health safety.
Ms. Pham Thi Hue - Principal of Song Da Primary School confirmed that the food supplier has not been granted a food safety certificate.
Mr. Le Van Cong - Deputy Head of the Education and Training Division of Hoa Binh City also said that the school's contract with An Thinh Trading and Service Company without a food safety certificate was inappropriate.
From the school principal to the leaders of the Department of Education and Training, everyone confirmed that the catering unit did not have a food safety certificate, and affirmed that it was not suitable, but why was there still a contract? If parents did not investigate and report, this matter might not have been brought up.
Don't consider student meals as a "small matter", just cook enough to fill your stomach. Poor quality boarding meals not only affect the health, but also the lives of students. Unfortunately, this situation has occurred in many localities.
On June 17, 19 students from Chi Lang High School (Gia Lai) were hospitalized due to food poisoning after eating at the school's communal kitchen.
On September 23-25, 23 students from Kien Hai Secondary and High School (Kien Giang) were hospitalized after eating food at the school cafeteria, suspected of food poisoning.
In November 2022, a school in Nha Trang organized a lunch for 880 students. Many students were later poisoned, including one who died.
Returning to the above case at Song Da Primary School, the school leaders should rectify the contract for providing meals for students. The health of nearly 1,000 students is entrusted to the school by their parents. Therefore, along with love for students, the school also has the responsibility to protect their health.
A food supplier with a food safety certificate must be an important criterion for the school to include in the list of options for signing a contract. In addition, there must be many companies participating and bidding to ensure quality and reasonable prices.
Choosing a food safety certified supplier - in addition to ensuring the quality of meals and preventing unusual incidents - also gives the school a basis to "talk" with parents and management agencies.
