Published: Tuesday, 2nd September, 2008 12:30
School kitchens: Behind the scenes
By Brian Hossack
Print Article
Picture posed by model
Pic by: Kris Cairns
MOUSE droppings and mouldy food were among the findings made by inspectors carrying out checks in secondary school kitchens across Inverclyde.
As part of a special Tele investigation into the conditions in the area’s school kitchens, we can today reveal how inspectors also found:
•Food kept beyond its sell-by date.
•A possible risk of metal contamination in deep fat fryers.
•Store room wall surfaces in poor repair.
While some parents will be shocked by some of the findings, which were released to us after a Freedom of Information Act request, there were many good results to report as well.
Many kitchens received glowing reports during the inspections by the council’s environment and communtity protection team in the last 12 months.
Today, as we launch the first part of our two-day series looking at the reports, an Inverclyde Council spokesman said it was crucial to note that Inverclyde’s school kitchens are safe and well run.
He said: “The hygiene in our school kitchens is of the utmost importance and is subject to statutory checks by our own environmental health team. These reports have found the vast majority of our school kitchens meet and, indeed exceed, food safety requirements.
“If any issue is found by our environmental health team that posed any danger or threat to children the team would not leave until that matter had been rectified. Environmental health state they are satisfied there is no significant risk from school catering in Inverclyde.
“We will continue to examine our kitchens to ensure they meet the high standards required and take immediate action if they do not.”
He added: “Any mouse droppings would be immediately reported to pest control for action.”
To see full details on all the area's secondary and special schools, grab a copy of today's Tele, in shops now.
For a look at how primary schools in Inverclyde have performed in the kitchen, don’t miss the final part of our series in tomorrow’s Tele.
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Restaurant shut for months by blaze
Further Details