Central kitchens for schools will improve quality control: Minister

Getting schools to cater meals from central kitchens will make it easier to ensure the quality of food, said Education Minister Chan Chun Sing.

- Gabrielle Chan

Central kitchens, which are being explored as a solution for schools with difficulties hiring canteen stallholders, will also help to uphold nutrition standards and reduce waste, he added.

It is a misconception to assume that food prepared in central kitchens is less nutritious, said Mr Chan in an interview on new canteen models with radio station Kiss92 on Dec 2.

"It's very hard to manage or to check the quality standards of thousands of canteen operators in our schools, but it's easier for us to check the quality standards of the central kitchens," he said.

Mr Chan was responding to a question about the nutrition of food from central kitchens. During the 30-minute interview, he was also asked about the sustainability of operating a canteen stall and how the transition to new canteen models will be managed.

In November, Mr Chan said the Education Ministry (MOE) had begun discussions with schools on new ways to run canteens.