Beijing steps up food safety in schools

Beijing (CNS) -- The municipal health authority gathered more than 100 headmasters together on Tuesday to alert them to food safety concerns as spring semester begins in most of the capital's colleges, and primary and middle schools.

The highlight of the public information campaign is the 'forbidden list'; yacinth beans and nitrite products are banned in school canteens for fear of food poisoning, and non-edible addictives are also included on the list of what not to serve.

Heads of municipal schools are urged to ascertain food safety management, service, and staff meet all the standards regarding handling of raw materials to tap water use, and from food processing to staff qualification.

Standards dictate whenever an incident occurs, prompt action must be taken against all possible negative outcomes, and all criteria for food handling must be rectified within a certain period of time after the outbreak, to regain control over safety conditions. Post-incident follow-up inspections will also be carried out.

Beijing will raise school safety standards and build 100 model canteens this year. The number is expected to increase to 500 in five years, according to the authority.

Municipal health and education offices will collaborate to facilitate information exchange and manage reporting channels to uncover potential violations and put them right.