During a scheduled inspection of the catering services provider UAB “Sotega” at Kaunas Veršvai Gymnasium, VMVT inspectors also evaluated the information provided by the consumer regarding possible inadequate hygiene conditions. The inspection revealed not only violations of cleanliness requirements but also improper maintenance of production equipment, food preparation processes posing a risk of cross-contamination, deficiencies in food waste management, employee hygiene, and self-monitoring processes.
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Inspectors also assessed the portions of meals served to children. It turned out that the weight of some of them did not match what was specified in the recipes. During the inspection, the temperature of hot meals met the requirements, but the overall condition of the kitchen and the totality of identified violations confirmed the doubts expressed in the consumer’s report regarding cleanliness and hygiene.
The food supplier was instructed to immediately eliminate the identified deficiencies: clean and disinfect the premises and equipment, properly organize and maintain the inventory, eliminate the risk of cross-contamination, and ensure that food is prepared in compliance with all established hygiene requirements.
Due to all identified violations of requirements, from September 14, the activities of UAB “Sotega” in the food preparation department of Kaunas Veršvai Gymnasium have been suspended. Activities can only be resumed after the identified deficiencies are eliminated and VMVT assesses that food handling activities can be carried out safely. The issue of administrative responsibility for the responsible persons is also being addressed.
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VMVT emphasizes that compliance with hygiene and food safety requirements in children’s catering places is not just a formality – a tidy kitchen, clean equipment, properly organized food preparation, and ensuring portions intended for children are the daily responsibility of every food service provider.
VMVT urges school administrations to continuously monitor the catering organization processes in their institutions, and parents – if they have suspicions, to report possible violations to VMVT. The earlier information about risks is received, the sooner it can be assessed and potential danger to children’s health prevented.
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