Vietnam Strengthens Guidance for School Meal Safety and Quality: Prioritizing Quality Over Low Cost

The Vietnamese government has instructed all educational institutions and relevant departments nationwide to strengthen food safety and quality assurance for boarding and day meals in schools. This demonstrates the government's strong commitment to the safety of food, which is directly linked to the health and development of students. On September 13, 2023, Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau issued Official Dispatch No. 64 on behalf of the Prime Minister, providing specific guidance on this matter. The dispatch mandates that when selecting food suppliers, a multi-faceted evaluation should be conducted, considering not only low prices but also food safety, nutritional value, and quality. This is expected to prevent health issues arising from the use of inexpensive ingredients and imbalances in nutritional content. With rapid economic growth in Vietnam, particularly in urban areas, the number of dual-income households has increased, leading to a higher utilization rate of school meals and boarding facilities. However, this has also been accompanied by occasional food safety issues, raising concerns among parents. The government's current directive is a significant step towards addressing these social challenges and comprehensively improving the quality of education. The Vietnamese government, operating under a one-party system, prioritizes social stability and the well-being of its citizens. Strengthening safety measures in the education sector is one of its key policy objectives. This directive calls for local authorities and schools to establish more rigorous management systems and implement regular inspections. Furthermore, it requires clear inclusion of safety standard compliance in contracts with suppliers. Source: Nhan Dan