Ho Chi Minh City Phu Huu Primary School, Thu Duc City temporarily suspended boarding meals after parents discovered black, spoiled chicken meat at the catering company.
Ms. Thu Anh, mother of a second grader at Phu Huu Primary School, said that on the morning of October 25, some parents and the school board went to inspect the kitchen and food warehouse of the company that provides meals for the school. The trip was announced in advance.
In the food storage area, parents were shocked to see rotten, black chicken meat and bones in the freezer. In the spice and dry goods area, there were some cans of chili sauce with no lids and a foul smell.
"They said this chicken meat is waste, not food for children. This is unacceptable because why would waste be put in the freezer?", Ms. Thu Anh added that storing spoiled, rotten food with other foods also does not ensure food hygiene and safety.
Ms. Suong, another parent, decided to stop feeding her child at school when she saw these images spreading in the class group.
"I was shocked when I saw the pictures of the food. I don't know what my children's meals have been like for a long time," said Ms. Suong.
Chicken in the food freezer of the catering unit, morning of October 25. Photo: Provided by parents
Responding to VnExpress at noon on October 27, Mr. Phan Thanh Phai, Principal of Phu Huu Primary School, confirmed the photos and videos posted by parents. According to Mr. Phai, the school does not have a kitchen, so the meals for boarding students will be cooked by the supplier and delivered at lunch.
"The school has had a contract with this unit for nearly 10 years, and nothing has happened so far. Currently, each lunch for students costs 28,000 VND," said Mr. Phai. According to him, this unit also explained that the food that parents complained about being spoiled was leftovers after processing and not used for cooking.
In response to parents’ concerns, the school temporarily suspended meals from October 26. The school and parents also met and agreed to terminate the contract with the current meal provider.
"While looking for a new food supplier, the school welcomes parents to recommend better suppliers. If they meet the requirements, the school will sign a contract," Mr. Phai said.
Previously, 700/1,000 students of Phu Huu Primary School had lunch at the boarding school. Currently, most parents pick their children up at noon, some children bring their own lunch because their homes are far away and it is inconvenient for their parents to pick them up and drop them off.
Rotten chicken was discovered by parents in the food storage cabinet on the morning of October 25. Photo: Provided by parents
Mr. Nguyen Thai Vinh Nguyen, Head of the Departmentof Education and Training of Thu Duc City, said he was aware of the incident.
"Thu Duc City People's Committee also has a plan to inspect food safety in schools. If the quality is not up to standard, the units must immediately terminate the contract," said Mr. Nguyen.
On October 26, Truong Thanh Primary School, Thu Duc City, which is the same unit providing meals as Phu Huu School, said it will closely monitor students' lunches while waiting for the conclusion of the authorities.
Le Nguyen
*Parents' names have been changed
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