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Inspectors from the Vilnius Department of the SFVS, in response to the report received about possible violations in the organization of school meals, inspected a company that provided meals for children in three subdivisions of the Progymnasium Duke Gediminas in Vilnius.
Suspicions of violations of mandatory hygiene requirements for facilities and equipment and the use of unused food raw materials, rather than end-of-use utilization, have been confirmed, according to the press release.
After SFVS inspectors inspected Lukiškių skg. The Vilnius Duke Gediminas Progymnasium canteen, located at 5, found that children’s meals were not prepared according to recipes (for example, some dishes on the menu were found to weigh less than declared or some dishes were replaced by others ).
Additionally, the inspection revealed that the animal by-product (i.e. food waste) freezer also contained non-animal by-products such as cut bananas packed in poly bags, frozen buns, and frozen curd dumplings.
Other irregularities were also found: raw meat and berries stored in the freezer as food raw material were not properly separated and 5 kg of beef shoulder was found with an expired shelf life.
One of the most serious violations detected by SFVS inspectors in a public catering company located in Lukiškių skg. 5 at the Vilnius Duke Gediminas operational Progymnasium – the fact that during the re-inspection carried out tomorrow, the specified raw material (beef) with expired shelf life was found again in the refrigerator together with products suitable for cooking.
Also, only 1 bag of frozen sliced bananas (instead of the previous 3 bags) was found in the freezer for animal by-products. It should be noted that a curd banana bake was served in the lunch ration.
After organizing unscheduled inspections on the same day, violations were also found in another Vilnius Duke Gediminas progymnasium on Miglos str. 1A and Blindžių st. 3 operating dining rooms.
An inspection carried out by SFVS inspectors in the dining room of the Progymnasium Duke Gediminas in Vilnius (Miglos str. 1A) revealed not only violations of interior hygiene, but also discrepancies in the recipes of meals, for example. This did not correspond to the quality of the products declared by the service provider itself.
During the inspection at the progymnasium of the same name, Blindžių str. 3, hygiene and food production were also recorded in the canteen (eg 130g of beet salad had to be served per child, but inspectors weighed only 40g per serving). Inconsistencies in the menus were also identified (for example, the vegetable garnish on the menu was replaced by groats), the risk of cross contamination was recorded, when the inventory used for raw and processed products was not effectively separated and food waste was not properly stored. COVID-19 prevention violations were also identified (i.e. students were partially self-fed).
The meals for the students of said progymnasium were managed and organized by the same catering service provider, who will be subject to administrative sanctions for the serious infractions found. The supply of expired and dangerous products for human consumption is prohibited and their disposal is ordered in a specialized facility with supporting documentation from the SFVS.
This food business operator is at high risk and therefore new inspections and more frequent inspections are planned to ensure that children’s meals are properly organized.
An unscheduled SFVS inspection was also conducted at the food handling entity operating in the Mainland Gymnasium dining room, during which it became clear that student catering activities were taking place at this institution without the necessary permission from SFVS. It was recorded that the partial cooking was carried out in an unfurnished – unfurnished premises, part of the prepared dishes were delivered from another kitchen premises belonging to the same entity, a vehicle was not adapted for this purpose.
The inspection failed to provide inspectors with food delivery documents, as well as other violations related to improper food storage, facility hygiene. Therefore, this food business operator will not escape the corresponding sanctions either.
This year, SFVS inspectors across the country have already inspected 291 preschools and 245 schools during scheduled inspections.
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