School meals for the most part poor and unhealthy

Test: Meals at schools do not meet the quality standards

14/01/2012

The food in the German school menus is mostly poor and unhealthy. Researchers at Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences have come to this conclusion in the context of a comprehensive study that has examined the quality of school food over a period of five years for 200 school meals.

As Professor Volker Peinelt, expert for catering services and food hygiene at the University of Applied Sciences Niederrhein, opposite the „Rheinische Post“ explained, fulfill „more than 90 percent of schools do not meet the quality standards of the German Nutrition Society (DGE) for healthy eating.“ When examining the school food in 200 German refectories, the researchers from Gladbach found considerable deficiencies in terms of hygiene, as well as the balance of the meal plans and the quality of the food.

Magical preparation of the food
One of the main criticisms of the scientists concerns the preparation of the food supply. „The food is boiled externally, delivered warm and often kept warm in schools for up to six hours“, but vitamins and taste are lost after a maximum of three hours, said Professor Volker Peinelt. So the long holding times constitute the main problem in the opinion of the experts. However, the quality of the food was also in the schools, where freshly cooked, not much better, said Peinelt. Over five years, the researchers had controlled the food in 200 school menus and found serious shortcomings, especially in the quality of food. The hygiene and the qualification of the employees were, according to the experts often also to be desired. Peinelt and colleagues therefore pleaded on the one hand for the introduction of a certification obligation for caterers and schools and on the other hand for a rethinking in relation to the provision of food.

Certification of caterers and school menus required
As a royal route the Gladbach researchers described the so-called „Cook and chill“-Method whereby the food is pre-cooked by professional suppliers, immediately chilled and then reheated in the schools with combi steamers immediately before meals. So it can be ensured that both the vitamins and the taste remain reasonably preserved. In view of the current study results, the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia also advocated more proof of quality at school lunches. The Minister for Climate Protection, Environment, Agriculture, Nature and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Johannes Remmel (Alliance 90 / The Greens) emphasized to the „Rheinische Post“: „The study shows that there is a need for action here.“ According to the NRW consumer protection minister, the schools should „Therefore, make sure that the caterers are certified and thereby comply with the quality standards.“ However, the municipalities are also responsible, as they are responsible for the provision of school food.

Doubts about the current results of the school meal
However, the results of the Gladbach researchers are questioned by others. Bernd-Jürgen Schneider, Managing Director of the City and Municipal Association of North Rhine-Westphalia, doubted the current study results and emphasized that the investigation was not representative. In his view, the regular monitoring of public health offices and the pressure of parents ensure a high quality of food in schools. In contrast, the statement of the scientists from the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, who come to the conclusion in their five-year study, that over 90 percent of schools in Germany do not meet the quality standards for healthy food. Although the results of the study may be slightly over-emphasized at this point and all schools are keen to present a balanced diet to the adolescents, it can be assumed that at least some school males have considerable deficits. To deny these and continue to act as before, therefore, can not be a solution. Rather, new models for the food offer in schools are in demand. (Fp)

Image: S. Media