25 companies approved to supply food for school canteens this year

• The items allowed for sale in the school canteens include various juices, dairy products, biscuits, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as pies, sandwiches, and dried fruits.

The Food and Nutrition Authority, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, has approved 25 companies to supply food products for school canteens for the 2024/2025 academic year. The ministry has also set a list of approved food prices for school canteens and emphasized the need to adhere to the established canteen system, according to Q8-Press.

In this context, Maryam Al-Enezi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Assistant Secretary for Educational Development and Activities, emphasized in a general bulletin sent to schools and obtained by the newspaper the importance of adhering to the list of health requirements for school canteens. She specified that the items allowed for sale include various juices, dairy products, biscuits, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as pies, sandwiches, and dried fruits.

Al-Enezi stated that, in the interest of students, inspectors from the Saudi Food and Nutrition Authority, along with the technical guidance of activities, must regularly visit school canteens.

She called on school principals to cooperate with and facilitate these inspections to ensure student safety. She also noted that the Food and Nutrition Authority has the authority to impose penalties on any school that violates the regulations.

She added that if a complaint or violation regarding the implementation of the decision’s terms occurs, the school principal will be notified and given time to address the issue. If the violation persists, a written report will be submitted to the Director of the Department of Educational Activities in the Educational District, who serves as President. She emphasized that all school principals and directors must maintain a register of canteens through inspection visits.

She also stressed the importance of finalizing contracts with companies supplying pies and sandwiches and providing the School Activities Department with a copy of these contracts. Contracts should not be made with refreshment and wafer companies unless desired, and supply should only commence after signing the contract. All goods sold must adhere to the price list approved by the ministry, except for companies providing full meals.

She called on school administrations to provide free meals for students in need, according to their discretion, and emphasized the importance of refunding any remaining money due to the student after completing the purchase process.

Regarding school uniforms, educational sources confirmed that officials have not discussed any changes to school uniforms at any educational level.