Reopening after dirty food scandal, elementary school's boarding kitchen surprises with 'luxury' meals

Trung Vuong Primary School (Da Lat) reopened its boarding kitchen, after nearly 2 months of suspension to clarify accusations of using "dirty food".

Meal of students at Trung Vuong Primary School - Da Lat (November 14) - Photo: MV

On November 14, Trung Vuong Primary School (Xuan Huong Ward - Da Lat, Lam Dong Province) reopened its boarding kitchen, serving more than 700 students after nearly 2 months of suspension due to complaints of using "dirty food" and not ensuring hygiene.

The People's Committee of Xuan Huong Ward - Da Lat said that during the temporary suspension of the boarding kitchen so that the authorities could clarify the responsibilities of those involved, the school reinvested in the entire kitchen according to industrial kitchen standards, and at the same time organized the selection of a unit with the capacity to provide meals for students according to regulations.

Industrial catering company working at Trung Vuong Primary School to prepare meals for students - Photo: MV

Along with upgrading the facilities, the school redesigned the quality control process, from importing - preserving - processing to cooking, dividing portions, quantifying food according to meals and keeping samples for monitoring and tracing when needed. According to the People's Committee of Xuan Huong Ward - Da Lat, the kitchen process clearly stipulates the origin records, three-step verification, sample storage and strict bookkeeping, assigning responsibilities to each position in the kitchen.

Each meal for students is quantified - Photo: MV

According to Trung Vuong Primary School, the menu has been completely changed based on the "Nutritional Balance Menu" developed by the Ministry of Education and Training in collaboration with the National Institute of Nutrition. Each portion ensures enough nutrients: starch, salty dishes, vegetables, soup and fruits. The school also publishes the quantity of each meal for parents to monitor.

After resuming operations with a new kitchen and new procedures, many parents and students commented that the current meals are 180 degrees different from before.

The student dining room was reinvested - Photo: MV

As reported by Tuoi Tre Online , on September 16, the boarding kitchen team for the 2024-2025 school year and some parents accused the school of bringing substandard food into the kitchen, affecting the meals of 720 students. On the evening of September 19, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Dinh Van Tuan directed to resolve the incident, requesting the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Training to coordinate with the People's Committee of Xuan Huong Ward - Da Lat to inspect and rectify the entire province's school meal work.

Student meals include many standard dishes - Photo: MV

The People's Committee of Xuan Huong Ward - Da Lat has temporarily suspended the Principal of Trung Vuong Primary School, Ms. Nguyen Thai Quynh Nga, to clarify the incident. During the Principal's temporary suspension, Mr. Nguyen Vinh Hien (Head of the Department of Culture and Society, People's Committee of Xuan Huong Ward - Da Lat) was assigned to take charge of the school.

Meal at Trung Vuong Primary School - Da Lat before reinvesting in the kitchen (photo taken on September 16) - Photo: MV

The food tray is sterilized after washing.

According to the leader of Trung Vuong Primary School, the student meal is 30,000 VND/portion, including 6,000 VND for milk (for a missed meal), 22,000 VND for the main meal and 2,000 VND for fruit or dessert. After nearly 2 months of suspension, the school currently has about 630 students registered for boarding meals. The menu on November 14 includes fried chicken, spaghetti, french fries, bananas and cake. According to the supplier, the student meal trays prepared by this unit are all put into the drying cabinet system to sterilize before being served to students.

MV

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/mo-lai-sau-lum-xum-thuc-pham-ban-bep-ban-tru-truong-tieu-hoc-gay-bat-ngo-vi-bua-an-xin-20251114144100909.htm