Vigilant eye on school canteen

by Carol Aloysius

School canteens islandwide are under surveillance due to the persistent violation of the School Canteen Policy, Director Information, Consumer Affairs Authority, Chandrika Thilekeratne told the Sunday Observer.

"Our investigating officers visited school canteens in all districts for the past 2-3 months due to the increasing number of complaints from parents that the canteens are not complying with the regulations under the Food Act. Canteens violating these regulations have been closed temporarily until their shortcomings are" rectified, she said. She said the inspecting team was checking the sanitary conditions of the canteens within and outside, the manner in which food was served and whether the food served was hygienic and wholesome.

"It will be an ongoing program till the school canteens in all districts are covered", she said.

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) authorities have also launched a food safety program targeting school canteens to inspect their sanitary conditions and monitor them. CMC sources said investigations had revealed that the relevant school authorities running the canteens, had ignored the School Canteen Policy- prohibiting the preparation and sale of unhealthy foods containing wheat flour, excessive salt and oil and sweetmeats using unsafe artificial colouring and preservatives.

The Sunday Observer learns that the CMC will introduce a healthy fruit juice to school canteens as a substitute for the fizzy sweetened drinks that cause diabetes and hyperactivity in children.