Schools in Hanoi strictly implement the '3-step food inspection' process to ensure food safety.

Only import food from establishments with a Certificate of food safety eligibility or production and business establishments that have declared their products according to regulations; absolutely do not use food of unknown origin, expired, or spoiled; 100% of food must have legal contracts, invoices, and documents; clearly state the origin...

Hanoi ensures safe meals for boarding students. Photo: Thanh Tung/VNA

These are important contents stated in Document No. 3672/SGDĐT-CTTTHSSV dated September 15, 2025 of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training sent to the Department of Culture and Social Affairs of wards and communes; units and schools under the Department on strengthening food safety assurance in the 2025-2026 school year.

Accordingly, regarding the management of collective kitchens and school meals, the Hanoi Department of Education and Training requires units organizing collective kitchens to ensure the following conditions: design and layout according to the one-way principle; have separate hand washing and hygiene areas for staff, teachers, employees and students; ensure enough clean water for eating and drinking, and processing according to the standards of the Ministry of Health .

Schools need to strictly implement the "3-step food inspection" process including: checking input materials, checking during processing, checking before use; and storing food samples according to regulations of the Ministry of Health.

The Hanoi Department of Education and Training notes that schools that sign contracts with meal suppliers must assess food safety conditions. The contract must clearly state legal responsibilities in case of food poisoning or unsafe food supply; have daily delivery and receipt records, and keep records for at least 12 months.

Each school needs to establish a team or working group on food safety, with the head of the unit (or deputy head) as the team leader; assign staff, teachers, and employees to coordinate with parents to participate in checking input food, supervising processing, storing samples, publicly disclosing finances and food origins...

The school principal is fully responsible for food safety in his unit. If there is a violation or food poisoning, the principal must be held responsible according to the law.

The school is also responsible for strictly evaluating and inspecting food suppliers (including drinking water, milk and dairy products), raw materials, and meals for students to ensure food safety, proper nutrition, health promotion, and disease prevention; organizing periodic inspections (at least once a month) and surprise inspections of the kitchen and canteen areas...

The Hanoi Department of Education and Training requested that the Department of Culture and Social Affairs of wards and communes, together with relevant agencies, organize guidance, inspection and supervision of boarding activities at units and schools; control food origins, manage food service activities around school gates; promptly handle or advise on handling when there is a risk of food insecurity...

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/giao-duc/truong-hoc-tai-ha-noi-thuc-hien-nghiem-quy-trinh-kiem-thuc-3-buoc-bao-dam-an-toan-thuc-pham-20250918114008861.htm