Violations regarding children's nutrition were found in one-third of schools in the Odesa region

In the Odesa region, 220 schools were inspected, and violations in the organization of school meals were found in 76 of them. Inspectors are checking the quality and safety of school meals, as well as the sanitary conditions of school kitchens.

This was reported by the Main Directorate of the State Food and Consumer Service in the Odesa region.

Unscheduled school inspections have been conducted since early September. As of September 25, specialists had already inspected 220 general secondary education institutions.

In many schools, violations were found in the organization of student meals and non-compliance with sanitary and hygiene standards in school kitchens. Based on the results of the inspections, school administrators were issued 76 orders requiring them to urgently rectify the identified deficiencies.

During the inspections, inspectors assess, in particular, compliance with the approved menu and nutritional standards, the proper storage of food items and their storage conditions, meal schedules, and the temperature of prepared meals before serving.

They also check the condition of kitchen equipment, refrigerators, and dishes; ensure that cooks are wearing protective clothing; verify that they have undergone medical examinations; and confirm that food rejection logs are being maintained correctly.

All identified violations have been placed under monitoring, and information about them has been forwarded to local education departments. Unscheduled inspections of schools in the Odesa region are ongoing.

Previously, the centers for financing and administrative activities of educational institutions in three districts of Odesa selected companies that will be paid a total of over 302 million hryvnias for organizing student meals.

Андрій Колісніченко