Food Safety Focus (229th Issue, August 2025) – Article 4

Get Prepared for the New School Year and Keep Food Safe in Schools

Ensuring food safety in schools is paramount. It is important for parents and schools to work together to create a safe and healthy eating environment.

When selecting school lunch suppliers, it is essential to choose those who adhere to high food hygiene standards. Purchase food ingredients from licensed and reputable suppliers. Avoid serving high-risk foods like sushi and undercooked eggs. Tuck shops also play a vital role in providing students with safe and nutritious snacks. Special attention should be given to choking hazards for young children, whose food should be cut into smaller pieces and hard vegetables softened by cooking. Teach them to chew slowly and swallow carefully.

The Centre for Food Safety's Safe Food at School thematic webpage is a one-stop reference source, with a practical guide to support the implementation of food safety measures in schools. Furthermore, health talks are also regularly organised for schools and school lunch suppliers, while Facebook posts and short videos are released to raise public awareness on choking hazards for children in a fun way.