Ho Chi Minh City Authorities Sign Food Safety Pledges with School Caterers

The recent signing of food safety commitments by school catering providers in Ho Chi Minh City marks a crucial step in safeguarding the health of our students. While we have implemented various control measures in collaboration with the Department of Education and Training, recent incidents, such as the suspected food poisoning at Binh Quoi Tay Primary School affecting over 180 students, underscore the persistent challenges.

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The management of school meals cannot just stop at signing contracts with catering providers, but must be controlled throughout from the source of raw materials, processing, transportation to the distribution at school.

It is imperative that the management of school meals transcends mere contractual obligations. We must maintain rigorous oversight throughout the entire process, from sourcing ingredients to final delivery. The responsibility for ensuring safe and nutritious meals rests not only with the catering companies, but also with the school administration. Principals, in particular, must be held accountable for any lapses that lead to foodborne illnesses.

With 317 companies supplying meals to approximately 3,500 schools, the commitment signed today is more than a formality; it is a legal and ethical pledge. We are committed to ensuring that all food entering our schools meets stringent standards for origin and safety, adhering to certifications like VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and HACCP. This proactive approach is fundamental to mitigating risks at the source.

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The school principal is the person with the highest responsibility if a food poisoning incident occurs in the school.

We urge parents and the community to actively participate in monitoring school meals. The Department encourages parent-teacher associations to conduct surprise inspections of food sources, preparation conditions, and delivery processes. Your vigilance is vital in complementing our efforts to create a safer dining environment for our children.

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Parents also need to participate in monitoring school meals. The Ho Chi Minh City Food Safety Department encourages parent representative committees to coordinate surprise checks of raw materials, processing conditions, and the catering supply process.