Food inspectors of The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Ankara Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, carried out an inspection at the canteens and cafeterias of the schools in the capital city on the first day of the new academic year.
Under the presidency of Deputy General Director of Food and Control, Mr. Mehmet BEYKAYA, Ankara Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. Bülent KORKMAZ and food inspectors of the provincial directorate conducted an inspection at the canteen and the cafeteria of Ankara Atatürk High School.
The inspectors examined the hygiene conditions, official documents of the cafeteria, hygiene training certificates of the staff and the conditions of storing, cooking and serving of food. Then, the inspectors reported the conditions and products they found contrary to the legislation and granted the facility 15 days to eliminate these nonconformities.
During the inspections, having indicated that the temperature is important especially in milk and dairy products, Mr. BEYKAYA noted that these products should be kept in cold chain from production to consumption.
Having emphasized that the content, expiration date, origin and company information should be included in the labels of the products; Mr. BEYKAYA warned the managers of the facility indicating the absence of these labels in the kitchen of the cafeteria at some containers in which products are stored.
Having also controlled the cold storage units, Mr. BEYKAYA reminded the facility manager that the foods ready for consumption should not be kept in the same place with the raw meat and meat products because of the risk of cross contamination.
Having said that they take samples particularly in milk and meat products; Mr. BEYKAYA expressed that the labelling information must be written on the minced meat without label.
Mr. BEYKAYA stated that wood cutting board should not be used in the kitchen and measures should be taken to combat flies in the setting.
Having emphasized that the chemical cleaning agents which remain uncovered in the production area should be kept in lockers, Mr. BEYKAYA warned about removing the materials such as massage chair, keyboard and broken stool in the unit where the vegetables are stored in the cellar of the kitchen.
Logo Obligation for Food Products to be sold in Schools
Having mentioned that examinations are conducted in school canteens and cafeterias at least 2 times per year, Mr. BEYKAYA stated that they have gone out for inspection for 1264 canteens with 280 food inspectors and 140 teams.
Having expressed that all the factors ranging from equipment to food, from food to the setting that might pose a risk to the students are taken into consideration, Mr. BEYKAYA pointed out that the non-conformities are notified to the company and 15 days are granted for the adjustment. Mr. BEYKAYA told that if the necessary adjustments are not made at the end of this period, criminal proceedings would be applied.
Having reminded that they checked the expiration date and label information of food products during the inspection, Mr. BEYKAYA noted: "Parents could feel comfortable. Our children are the guarantee of our future; we scrupulously carry out our inspection activities for healthy and safe food consumption of our children."
Having noted that the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, H. E. Bekir PAKDEMİRLİ attaches great importance to the school canteen inspections, "It was previously determined that which foods can be served to the students in schools and which foods cannot be." Mr. BEYKAYA stated.
Mr. BEYKAYA reported that they initiated a work to bring it to a further stage as the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Federation of Food & Drink Industry Associations of Turkey.
"We are in preparation of a protocol to raise the quality of service, to facilitate inspection activities and to serve as a reference during the purchase of foods to the enterprises. It will soon be announced by our Minister. From now on, in accordance with the circular of the Ministry of Education, the foods to be served in schools will have to have logos. Only the products with logos will be sold in canteens." Mr. BEYKAYA noted.