Ensuring the safety of boarding meals

After the flood, the school system, including many kindergartens, was severely affected. When the water receded, the concern was not only to restore the facilities, but also to ensure the safety of the children's meals, in the context of the post-flood environment posing many potential risks of food safety and hygiene.

Cooking utensils, bowls, and chopsticks are boiled and disinfected multiple times at the 19-5 Kindergarten.

At the 19-5 Kindergarten (Phan Dinh Phung Ward), the entire kitchen area was flooded to a depth of over 1.5 meters. When the water receded, thick mud covered everything, and all the equipment and utensils used for food preparation and cooking were severely damaged. In the first few days after the water receded, the entire staff and teachers worked day and night, coordinating with supporting forces to clean and disinfect the entire school grounds, especially the kitchen area.

Ms. Ca Nguyen Phuong Linh, the school principal, said: "We determined that we had to thoroughly clean the kitchen area before allowing the children to return to school. Every pot, every bowl, every corner of the floor was washed and disinfected multiple times. While waiting to purchase new equipment, the school temporarily borrowed utensils from the food supplier to maintain the kitchen for the children."

Currently, the school's kitchen is back in operation, serving approximately 500 children with meals daily. The food is supplied by a clean food chain in Thai Nguyen , ensuring clear origin and quality control.

The school is also paying special attention to the water supply for daily use and cooking, as the water filtration system was flooded and is not yet operational. Currently, the school has received support in the form of bottled purified water and clean drinking water, and is urgently coordinating the replacement and repair of the entire filtration system to ensure a standard water supply for the children as soon as possible.

Unlike School 19-5, Quang Vinh Kindergarten (Quan Trieu Ward), located in an area deeply flooded by heavy rains, was one of the most severely affected. Rising floodwaters swept away much property and damaged most of the school's facilities. To date, the school is still working tirelessly to overcome the consequences and restore the teaching area and the canteen.

The kitchen at Quang Vinh Kindergarten has reopened, serving meals to approximately 100 children daily.

Ms. Trinh Thi Thanh Binh, the school principal, informed: "Despite the difficult circumstances, we are still trying to maintain the provision of school meals for over 100 children. Every step, from receiving and processing food to storing food samples, is strictly controlled. Food safety is a matter of survival at this time."

Despite limited equipment, the school staff proactively arranged and temporarily borrowed some cooking utensils, prioritizing repairs to the kitchen and dining area. Many organizations, social groups, and benefactors provided the school with material support and necessities, helping teachers and students to quickly stabilize their activities.

Following the floods, the risk of environmental and water pollution remains present in many areas. Therefore, ensuring food safety in school cafeterias has become an urgent requirement.

Schools are currently facing difficulties with facilities and equipment, but they are still striving to strictly control food sources, clean water, and processing procedures. This is a time when further inspection and supervision are needed to protect students' health and maintain parents' trust after the natural disaster...

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202510/dam-bao-an-toan-bua-an-ban-tru-5345b95/