Schools in Mykolaiv are being inspected regarding the organisation of school meals: the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection will inspect all establishments

An inspection of school meals is currently underway in Ukraine. Photo: Mykolaiv City Council

In Mykolaiv, the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection is inspecting the organisation of school meals. Experts are to inspect all general secondary education establishments operating in both face-to-face and blended formats.

This was announced on 24 September during a session of the Mykolaiv City Council by Hanna Lychko, Head of the Education Department, according to NikVesti.

Responding to a question from councillor Iryna Boichenko, Hanna Lychko noted that Mykolaiv was part of a nationwide campaign of inspections.

«The city of Mykolaiv is no exception. The State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection is visiting every general secondary school to inspect the organisation of school meals,» said Hanna Lychko.

Iryna Boichenko asked whether councillors would be able to review the results of the inspections.

«If they provide them to us, we will send them to you,» replied the head of the education department.

It should be noted that, from 10 September, the State Food and Consumer Service began inspections of catering arrangements in schools across Ukraine. The inspections are being carried out without prior notice to educational establishments. During the inspections, specialists assess the sanitary and hygienic condition of catering facilities, food storage conditions and compliance with temperature requirements, the organisation of food preparation processes, and staff adherence to personal hygiene rules.

They also check the organisation of drinking water provision and whether the meals actually served correspond to the approved menu.

Separate laboratory testing is carried out. In particular, experts take samples of drinking water and ready-made meals to determine their calorie content, as well as swabs from equipment, utensils, crockery, work surfaces and the hands of catering staff for bacteriological analysis.

The State Food and Consumer Service of Mykolaiv region notes that the main aim is to assess compliance with sanitary legislation and requirements for the safety and quality of food products, as well as to ensure appropriate and safe conditions for children’s meals.

Based on the results of the inspections, particular attention will be paid to the prompt rectification of any identified breaches and shortcomings.

As is known, in Mykolaiv, over 3,000 schoolchildren do not make use of free school meals, although the city provides this opportunity for all pupils.

It should be recalled that in Mykolaiv, a tender was announced for the provision of meals to pupils in 55 schools across the city, with an estimated cost of 135.5 million hryvnias. Earlier in June, the Education Department of the Mykolaiv City Council announced a tender for the organisation of meals in 44 of the city’s nurseries. The estimated cost of the procurement was 69.1 million hryvnias, and the services were scheduled to be provided until the end of October.

At the time, the city council reported that there was a shortfall in funds for children’s meals until the end of the year. According to Deputy Mayor Vitalii Lukov, the money for the nurseries was found by making savings on the funds earmarked for school meals.

At the same time, the city council was counting on additional state support to ensure meals for children until the end of the year. According to the Department of Education’s estimates, the city will need a further nearly 150 million hryvnias by the end of the year: over 109 million hryvnias for nurseries, over 33 million hryvnias to co-fund school meals, and a further 7 million hryvnias for special schools and vocational education institutions.