Rhode Island School Cafeterias

The D.C. "Center for Science in the Public Interest" (CSPI) is a non-profit organization with a new report out, "Making The Grade." The Center works to improve the public’s health, largely through its work on nutrition and food-safety issues. This report evaluates the conditions existing in our public school cafeterias regarding the latter.

They evaluated inspection reports from high school cafeterias in 20 school jurisdictions across the country, including Rhode Island. The study examined four key categories: the rigor of the food code, frequency of food safety inspections, access to inspection information, and the results of cafeteria inspections.

In the frequency of food service reports, Rhode Island scored worst. In access to inspection reports, Rhode Island scored worst (it's SUPPOSED to be 2x/yr. but often is not). On a grade point score of 100, Rhode Island received a failing 54 score. Some violations included cross-contamination of clean and dirty utensils, improper holding temperatures, and the presence of vermin.

Yuck! But we don't do much better on restaurant safety either. Cold comfort that the Guv has the well-paid staff that he wants.

Maybe the cockroaches & rat droppings count as extra protein - here's the video link.

Checklist For the Home
􀀹 Encourage behaviors that ensure food safety, such as washing hands before meals, during food preparation, and after using the bathroom.
􀀹 If preparing a lunch for your child, ensure that it is properly packed and use a cold pack if necessary.
􀀹 Seek medical attention if your child suffers from gastrointestinal illness.
􀀹 Notify the school and your local health department if your child is diagnosed with a foodborne illness.

Checklist for the School
􀀹 Encourage school administrators to adopt appropriate safety policies that comply with the law.
􀀹 Check to see if the inspection reports are posted in a visible location in the school.
􀀹 If the inspection report lists troubling violations, follow with the school to ensure these are addressed immediately.
􀀹 Ask questions, especially about food handling that doesn’t look right. Talk to the food service manager or the principal.
􀀹 If it has been more than seven months since the last cafeteria inspection, call the city or county public health department and request an inspection.

Checklist for Local & State Governments
􀀹 Help schools address and resolve food safety violations by funding necessary on-site improvements to prevent problems from reoccurring.
􀀹 Inspect and monitor schools at least twice a year to ensure compliance with federal law.
􀀹 Regularly adopt the most recent FDA Model Food Code to improve food safety in schools & restaurants.

Checklist for Congress
􀀹 Ensure that state and local agencies are complying with changes in the law.
􀀹 Provide the agencies responsible for monitoring cafeteria inspections with additional resources.
􀀹 Require school districts to purchase foods according Agricultural Marketing Service’s procurement specifications.
􀀹 Require states participating in the National School Lunch Program to adopt the most up-to-date food code.