The Study Of Nutrition And Food Safety In School Lunch

【Objective】To investigate the lunch nutritional status of students in the public elementary schools and elementary schools for children of migrant workers and the condition of food safety in these school canteens.【Methods】All of the school canteens in Wujiang city were evaluated according to the grade of food hygiene. Each of 18 junior school, primary school, kindergarten (public schools) and schools for children of migrant workers were randomly selected and investigated the indicators related to food safety. Nutrients in lunch for 18 elementary schools were analyzed using weighing and record methods.【Results】Vitamin A supply in the public elementary schools accounted for 32% of recommendation. Except energy and vitamin C, other nutrients provided by the elementary schools for children of migrant workers were significantly less than recommendation. Protein-caloric ratio (26%) was higher in the public elementary schools while protein-caloric ratio (11%) and fat-caloric ratio (12%) was lower in the elementary schools for children of migrant workers. Calcium and iron from animal food were inadequate in both kinds of schools. The grade of food hygiene in public schools was A or B; however, the grade in 61.1% of schools for children of migrant workers was C. Moreover, basic sanitation showed less perfect in schools for children of migrant workers and the awareness rate about food hygiene for their employee was relatively low. Consequently, the rate of absence from school because of canteen food was higher in schools for children of migrant workers than in public school.【Conclusion】Animal liver and blood rich in Vitamin A and iron are recommended in student lunch. The students in elementary schools for children of migrant workers should drink more milk and increase soy products which are relatively cheap and have high nutritional value. The canteens of public school in our city have good conditions for food hygiene. However, canteens of schools for children of migrant workers are threatened by potential food safety hazard.