TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The government, through the department of education has directed all school authorities to test and taste the food served to students under the midday meal scheme as a precautionary measure against any contamination or supply of poor quality food to children.
Directives were issued Friday that all zonal education divisions of the department should ensure that school authorities check the food, while the department of Food and Drugs Administration will check on kitchens of Self Help Groups and Mahila Mandals where the food is prepared for the midday meals.
The education ministry reiterated that necessary precautions and instructions have been issued to Self Help Group and Mahila Mandals to supply safe secured standard and hygienic midday meals.
Likewise the education department has appealed to the parent and student community not to panic. It pointed that the FDA report in the Usgao case indicates no presence of bacteria or contamination.
The department allayed fears that the case reported at St Joseph’s High School, Takwada -Usgao related to midday meal scheme where a few students were admitted in hospital, Ponda, was not a case of food poisoning.
‘The samples of leftover bhaji and pulav supplied to students were collected by Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration. After analysis of the food samples at the FDA laboratory, Bambolim, it was found that the food supplied was of standard quality, free from bacterial contamination and fit for consumption,’ says department’s its press release issued Friday.
