Hygienic-structural deficiencies, such as the presence of insects and rodent excrement. But also lack of authorizations, meals lacking in quantity and quality, lack of food traceability and omission of any allergens, essential to prevent possible allergic reactions especially in children as they are more fragile subjects.
These are the irregularities found by the NAS in one school canteen out of four. These are the first results of the nationwide control campaign launched at the beginning of the new school year by the Carabinieri Command for Health Protection in agreement with the Ministry of Health to verify compliance with the requirements set by the reference legislation in the catering sector within schools. Over 700 school canteens of all levels, both public and private, from nursery schools to high schools and universities have been inspected so far.
The operation
Overall, 225 administrative or criminal violations were detected and fines of 130 thousand euros were imposed; in the most serious cases, 5 managers were reported to the judicial authorities and the seizure of cooking points and pantries as well as 350 kg of food was ordered. Food that was in poor condition, lacking traceability, expired or with irregular labeling for an approximate value of 5 million euros.
The sensational cases
In Treviso, an educational center for children between the ages of 2 and 6 was placed under administrative seizure, having been found to be without authorization to provide school meals and without health registration.
In Pescara, a nursery school ordered the immediate suspension of all food handling and serving activities following the ascertained hygienic-sanitary and structural deficiencies of the premises as well as the lack of authorization to activate the canteen.
Meanwhile, in Caserta, the owner of a company responsible for the supply of school meals was reported for fraud in public supplies, as it was discovered that the company's label was being fraudulently affixed to trays of meals produced by other companies.