In the first three months of the year, many cases of food poisoning in schools across the country were reported.
Apart from which, Ho Chi Minh City occurred two cases of food poisoning in February and March resulting in hospitalization of many schoolgirls and schoolboys in primary and junior high schools.
It is high time to raise the alarm about food safety and hygiene in school as food provided for boarding schools by caters outside and food sold in front of schools are not strictly controlled.
In the middle of March, a food poisoning took place in Primary Tran Quang Khai in HCMC’s district 1 driving 44 students who experienced vomiting and nausea after they had lunch including roasted meat, soup, dried vegetables and desserts in the school.
The boarding school contracted with a unit in Thu Duc District which provides around 200 portions for students. Before, a similar food poisoning had reported in Junior High School Le Quy Don in Thu Duc District because students ate food in eateries outside the school.
As per the Department of Food Safety in HCMC, the city has over 2,820 preschools, primary schools, senior and junior high schools, colleges and universities; all of them have had canteen inside or signed contract with caters to provide food for students.
Deputy head of the Department Dr. Nguyen Thi Huynh Mai asked the health sector liaised with education sector to pay unscheduled check to schools.
Subsequently, the Department of Education and Training has sent a document to its sub-divisions and school headmasters ordering to crack down food poisoning. As per the Department’s instruction, schools must have food safety certificate or schools are just signed contract with caters which have food safety certificate.
