Food For Thought

Suddenly, food poisoning cases in schools seem to be happening across the country at an alarming rate. This is not something that should be taken lightly. The figures speak for themselves .A total of 81 students from a residential school in Sungai Buloh and 43 students from S.K. Gong Nangka, Marang, came down with food poisoning due to food prepared in unhygienic ways by the canteens of those schools. Elsewhere, 40 students from SK Kuala Muda, Kepala Batas, Penang and 56 students from SK Sanglang, Kangar, Perlis had food poisoning after consuming milk provided by the schools. And now, in more recent cases, 150 students from SMK Agama Sandakan and 53 pupils from SK Bandar Dua Sandakan, became ill after consuming food from the dining hall and school canteen of the schools, respectively.

Why is food contamination occurring frequently in schools? Don’t our children deserve better treatment? Doesn’t anyone care? Food operators and suppliers must realise that the well being of students should not be compromised for the sake of making profit. Educational authorities must constantly check on the quality of food made available for students in schools and not just wait to point fingers at the surrounding factors.

The issuing of tenders for the operating of school canteens and dining halls must be made transparent. This is to ensure that only those who are credible and choose to make an honest living and not aiming to make a quick buck get selected. Good food is essential for students to get the right nutrition which can safeguard their health and help them to be mentally alert and physically active.

As for the free milk programme, schools must take note of every minor detail of the milk packets which are handed out to the students. This of course includes the expiry dates and the condition of the packs. Schools which fail to take the necessary steps must also be punished by the ministry as lives could be at stake when food poisoning occurs.

EWRF hopes that school authorities would place more emphasis on issues which prioritise the welfare of students than to dilly-dally with Lilliputian concerns. Parents on the other hand must also educate their children to select and identify nutritious and safe food for consumption as this can help to reduce health risks caused by unsafe food. With collective measures taken, EWRF is certain that all shortcomings can be resolved smoothly.