'School canteen operators should treat students like their own children'

School canteen operators should be more responsible when providing food for students eating at their premises.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam said such operators have a huge responsibility and should not solely focus on making profit.

He said the food operators must get the parents to trust that the food provided to their children are clean, safe and healthy.

"They should treat these students just like their own children.

"If the children are our own, we will certainly take all measures to ensure the food is safe," he said at the 2016 Clean, Safe and Healthy Canteen Award held at the Shah Alam Convention Centre here today.

In addition to provide clean and safe food, the health aspect should be taken into account to ensure that the meals contain adequate nutrients and did not contribute to diseases such as obesity.

So far, in the 37 weeks of 2016, 153 cases of food poisoning have been reported in schools across the country, involving more than 6,000 students.

It involved the temporary closures of 64 canteens and 332 notices have been issued for violating the food preparation guidelines set by the Health Ministry.

Dr Subramaniam said if the operators understand the expectations of parents and the responsibility and trust given to them, it was not impossible for food poisoning cases in schools to be reduced or be eliminated altogether.

Various efforts have been established by the ministry and related parties – from awareness campaigns to laws – to promote food handling in accordance to the set guidelines, he said.

Dr Subramaniam also expressed hope that the award ceremony will encourage the food operators and school administrators to work together to create an environment that is clean, safe and healthy for schoolchildren.

"I sometimes dream that there will be a year where there will be no food poisoning cases.

"It can be during my time or in the future, but I just hope the time will come," he said.

During the event, Sekolah Kebangsaan Setiawangsa, Kuala Lumpur was announced as the overall winner for the best primary school canteen, and was awarded with a prize money worth RM1,500.