Every year most primary, junior and infant schools have a summer fete, with various attractions the school aims to raise money to go towards the schools fundraiser to, well, we hope buy new equipment for the children such as computers and sports equipment...however too often do we see these funds slip into the hands of some teachers or PTA members. But that's another story for another time.
Now, at most of these school events the school runs the hot food, in which the profits go towards the fundraiser, but what are the expenses? I am not talking money, but our health!
So, Roberts Ices have been attending these events and making some observations.
Lets start at the beginning, three maybe four teachers or PTA are put in charge of e BBQ, now, individually do they have any knowledge or practices in handling food fit for public? Do they have the required level 2 grade in food safety and hygiene? I doubt it very much.
So I attended a primary school earlier in the year, for the school's protection I will not name the school.
I watched three men begin building three barbecues, old and very dirty looking ones that it wouldn't surprise me if this was the first time being used in a good year or more. So after being covered in dirt and old grease the men decide the BBQ is built fine, they pour the coals in, light up and use the time to have a chat. Whilst this is occurring, two ladies set up the serving area (two tables from the school put together) now, they have put blue gloves on, looks good right? Did you know that wearing gloves does not make you instantly sanitary and in fact temps wearers into not washing their hands. I witnessed these ladies cut rolls, then touch utensils, then organise the bin, touch various other things, organise their till and float, then handle the rolls again. Already the contamination is high, not to mention that the rolls and other food are left open to the elements without being covered.
So the men are soon happy the barbecue is hot enough and the food is brought out from the school, I remind you that nobody has washed their hands. The food then sat in the sun for a good 40 minutes before being cooked, can you imagine he bacteria which would grow on it in that time?
So with the hands which have touched an old dirty barbecue are god only knows what else are now touching burgers and sausages which your children will eat!
I'd like to now mention, that in catering, certain laws are in place, and these laws are not met by these schools and their barbecues, simple things like running hot and cold water and hand washing facilities. Not once did these any of these teachers wash their hands. Even simple certification and documentation is not in place. Which other traders look at and wonder why we have to follow these strict rules when these barbecues go and endanger the public without anyone questioning their methods. Of course we at Roberts ices, enjoy and love upholding proper hygiene standard and invite authorities to inspect our catering units.
As I watched the barbecue continue again these gloved hands went everywhere, touching money, which is always dirty, shaking hands when friends arrive, handling the bin and then fresh food. These teachers are putting us all in danger! Why do the councils not stamp down on these barbecues and put hygiene rules in place for the schools as well as us traders.
Even having some self drying hand sanitizer would be a step in the right direction.
My next point is that these barbecues are all run by supermarket bought product, which in law you are not meant to sell to the public for profit, products are meant to be bought from proper wholesale. This occurs with cold drinks also in these schools, where us traders are forced to purchase from wholesale for food and drink...where is the fair business act?
So next time you attend a school fete I ask you to look, look at who is serving your food, take a step out of the box and watch. Look for hygiene it's important. Don't let these schools get away with poor food standards and give you low quality food.
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