DEPED to schools: Strictly follow canteen policies

CEBU, Philippines - Following the recent food poisoning case at Hipodromo Elementary School (HES), the Department of Education-Cebu City Division is warning all public schools to strictly adhere to the policies imposed on school canteens.

Danilo Gudelosao, education program supervisor of DepEd-Cebu City Division, said they have been administering meetings with school principals for eight years now regarding canteen operations.

Despite the several orientations, he said they are once again advising all elementary and secondary public schools in the city to closely look into the guidelines stipulated under DepEd Order 8, series of 2007.

The order, also known as the “Revised Implementing Guidelines on the Operation and Management of School Canteens in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools,” lays down the instructions for canteen operation to ensure that school canteens serve as a venue for the development of desirable eating habits of students.

Nutrition coordinators, medical officers or nurses-in-charge of the schools are tasked to monitor canteen operations to ensure that standards on quality, handling and serving of food are complied.

The personnel are also to supervise canteen equipment and facilities and check whether food safety standards and hygienic practices are strictly observed.

In Cebu City, the Division Committee for Canteen Operations has been formed and tasked to monitor and meet with school principals after evaluating school canteens.

“They examine whether the schools are compliant in providing safe and nutritious food for the children and make sure that their respective school canteens are clean,” said Gudelosao.

Last Wednesday, at least 11 HES students were brought to the hospital after reportedly suffering from stomach pains, dizziness and vomiting. At 2 a.m. the next day, another student from the same school was hospitalized after showing the same symptoms.

The victims, ages six to 14, reportedly ate masi,  a sweet delicacy made of sticky rice mixed with peanuts and steamed rice cake, sold at the school’s canteen. — May B. Miasco/NSA (FREEMAN)