What is a school kitchen? In Vietnam, is it required to retain food samples in a preschool kitchen?

What is a school kitchen?

A school kitchen is a specially designed space for preparing and providing meals to students, teachers, and staff in educational institutions such as preschools, primary schools, high schools, colleges, etc.

*Role of the school kitchen:

Nutritional assurance: Provides nutritious meals, balancing food groups, helping students develop healthily both physically and mentally.

Supports the learning process: A tasty and nutritious meal helps students concentrate better during their studies.

Food safety hygiene: Ensures clean, safe food to avoid infectious diseases transmitted through the digestive tract.

Nutritional education: Helps students form healthy eating habits and understand food groups.

*Characteristics of a school kitchen:

Large scale: Serves a large number of people at the same time.

Diverse menus: Meets the needs of various tastes and ages.

High hygiene requirements: Must strictly adhere to food safety hygiene regulations.

Modern equipment: Utilizes specialized machinery and equipment for processing and preserving food.

*Factors to consider when designing and operating a school kitchen:

Space: Ensure enough area to arrange functional zones such as preliminary processing, cooking, storing, and dishwashing.

Layout: Designed with a one-way principle to avoid cross-contamination between areas.

Equipment: Invest in modern, high-quality machinery and equipment.

Ingredients: Choose fresh, quality ingredients.

Staff: Train staff in food safety hygiene and food preparation skills.

Menu: Develop a diverse and balanced menu suitable for each age group.

*Note: Information about w hat a school kitchen is only for reference purposes./.

What is a school kitchen? In Vietnam, is it required to retain food samples in a preschool kitchen? (Image from the Internet)

In Vietnam, is it required to retain food samples in a preschool kitchen?

Under sub-section 4 of section 3, Part 2 of the Guidelines for organizing school meals combined with enhancing physical activity for children and students in preschool and primary education institutions issued together with Decision 2195/QD-BGDDT in 2022:

Regarding food sample retention:

- Retain samples of all dishes from the day's meals at the school kitchen to trace the causes of food safety incidents. Sample retention is mandatory for educational institutions organizing school meals;

- When retaining food samples (collecting, preserving, and destroying retained food samples), they must be recorded and monitored throughout the process from retention to destruction;

- Each dish must be sampled and stored in a separate container, with a lid, fully labeled regarding retention information, signed by the person in charge of retention, and sealed;

- Food sampling should be done after the food is prepared and before the meal time.

Therefore, retaining samples in preschool kitchens is mandatory.

How long is the retention period of food samples in Vietnam?

Under sub-section 4 of section 3, Part 2 of the Guidelines for organizing school meals combined with enhancing physical activity for children and students in preschool and primary education institutions issued together with Decision 2195/QD-BGDDT in 2022:

- The retention period of food samples is at least 24 hours from the time of sampling.

In cases of suspected food poisoning or at the request of management agencies, samples must not be destroyed until further notice.

Note:

In cases of suspected food poisoning or at the request of management agencies, samples must not be destroyed until further notice.

Food samples are preserved separately from other foods, with storage temperatures from 2°C to 8°C.

Additionally, what are the regulations on the energy distribution for school meals of primary school students in Vietnam?

Under sub-section 2 of section 1, Part 2 of the Guidelines for organizing school meals combined with enhancing physical activity for children and students in preschool and primary education institutions, issued together with Decision 2195/QD-BGDDT in 2022, the energy distribution for primary school students' meals is regulated as follows:

- Number of meals for primary school students at school: one main meal and one additional meal

+ Lunch meets 30-40% of the recommended daily energy needs for each age group.

+ The additional meal meets 5-10% of energy needs.

- For primary schools organizing school meals into 4 meals, the energy distribution is as follows:

+ Breakfast meets 25-30% of daily energy needs.

+ Lunch meets 30-40% of daily energy needs.

+ The additional meal meets 5-10% of daily energy needs.

+ Dinner meets 25-30% of daily energy needs.

- For primary schools not organizing school meals or meals without additional meals: Must ensure at least 3 main meals for children, preventing them from skipping breakfast before attending school.

School meals or meals at schools are prepared to provide energy and nutrients for students at school.

School meals can include breakfast, lunch, afternoon meals, and snacks in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon. The number of school meals varies depending on the organization type like day-school, boarding school, and education levels.