Bucharest School Canteen Suspended Over Expired Food, Hygiene Lapses

The British School of Bucharest is facing scrutiny after health authorities suspended its canteen and pastry lab for 30 days due to serious hygiene violations, including the discovery of expired food. The National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) imposed a fine of 27,000 lei (approximately $5,800 USD) and ordered the immediate withdrawal and incineration of dangerous products.

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We do not accept any compromise when the health of our children is at stake. What the ANSVSA inspectors discovered in the canteen of this private educational institution is truly revolting and intolerable: extremely dangerous food products, including fish expired since last year, served daily to students and kindergarten children.

ANSVSA inspectors reported finding significant issues, such as 60 kg of expired products, unlabeled ingredients, improper storage temperatures, and inadequate hygiene in food preparation areas. The authority's president, Alexandru Nicolae Bociu, described the findings as "revolting and intolerable," emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for such negligence that endangers children's health.

In response, the British School of Bucharest stated that it immediately suspended the affected operations and is cooperating fully with authorities. The school asserts that the identified expired products were part of reserve stock and were not served to students. They are conducting an internal investigation and have requested an external independent evaluation, also implementing additional measures like daily on-site food safety specialist presence.

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The school confirmed that the products identified by the inspectors were not used in the meals served to students. Our internal investigation indicates that the withdrawn products concerned reserve stocks and management procedures, including labeling, storage, and traceability, and were not related to the safety of the meals prepared and served daily to students.

From a Romanian perspective, this incident raises critical questions about oversight and accountability in private educational institutions. While the school claims the expired food was not served, the mere presence of such items in a facility catering to children is deeply concerning. The ANSVSA's firm stance reflects a commitment to public health and safety, particularly for vulnerable populations like schoolchildren. The Adevărul newspaper's reporting provides a detailed account of the findings and the school's response, highlighting the tension between regulatory enforcement and the institution's defense.

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We have requested that the implemented measures be reevaluated as soon as possible.