Trying before eating new dining policy in SW.China (CRI/Xinhua) Updated: 2006-09-11 09:38
Teachers in southwest China will now start trying meal first before their
students in an effort to make sure meals at school are safe to eat.
Beginning this semester, the new dining policy has already been adopted by
more than 90% of schools in Chengdu city, capital of Sichuan Province, reports
the Western Economic Daily.
According to the new policy, teachers will try dishes 30 minutes before their
students every day. In addition, data will be recorded and samples will be kept
in the schools' refrigerators for 48 hours. This is to ensure local authorities
are able to handle the situation in case any other contaminations are found.
Chinese experts warned Sunday that foodborne diseases rather than chemical
pollutants are the top menace to the food safety of Chinese consumers, Xinhua
reports.
Official data showed that about an annual average of 300 million people in
China would contract foodborne diseases.
Foodborne diseases often happened to group dining, especially at canteens for
students or employees, restaurants and fast food outlets. Triggers are material
contamination, food deterioration, improper storage and bad processing.
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