Nas checks in school canteens, one in 3 irregular, 9 kitchens closed. Inspections in 1.058 collective catering companies. Poorly preserved or expired food, kitchens in precarious hygienic conditions, irregular staff.
Article Key Points
The NAS investigations revealed the fraudulent use of lower quality ingredients than those agreed in the supply contracts stipulated with the Municipalities, such as Parmigiano DOP replaced with other cheeses, conventional eggs instead of organic ones and frozen products instead of fresh ones.
In a school in the province of Caserta, pupils were given pasta and potatoes without the potatoes
The absence of one of the ingredients was also ascertained, as in an institute in the province of Caserta, where the students were given the dish “pasta and potatoes” without the presence of potatoes.
The checks involved school canteens of all levels, from nursery schools to high schools, both public and private: among the companies checked, 341 highlighted irregularities, equal to 31%, with 482 criminal and administrative violations and consequent fines for 240 thousand euros. Nine kitchen areas were suspended or seized, 22 managers reported.
Violations in the management of food and in the hygiene conditions in the premises where meals are prepared, in the failure to comply in quality and quantity with the requirements established by the tender specifications, in the regularity of the employment of workers and their possession of adequate qualifications and professional training.
The suspension of activity or the seizure of 9 kitchen areas operating within school canteens was ordered due to significant hygienic-sanitary and structural deficiencies, such as the widespread presence of humidity and mold formations.
In one episode, the NAS of Potenza discovered a toilet used as a makeshift storage for dishes and kitchen utensils. Over 700 kg of foodstuffs (meat, cheese, fruit and vegetables, oil) were seized, found to be untraceable, expired and stored in unsuitable environments and intended for use in dishes although of lower quality than expected.
22 canteen service managers were reported to the judicial authorities, held responsible for the crimes of fraud and failure to comply with public supplies, the possession of food in poor condition and failure to comply with workplace safety regulations.
The majority of the infringements, equal to 85%, concerned administrative sanctioning aspects such as structural and plant deficiencies in the premises used for preparing meals, failure to implement self-control, traceability and the presence of allergens, fundamental elements 2 to prevent possible episodes of intoxication and allergic reactions, even more significant in the sensitive groups of school users.
Article published on March 15, 2023 - 07pm
